title: Ultrasonographic wall thickness measurement of the upper and lower uterine segments in the prediction of the progress of preterm labour.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the role of ultrasonographic measurement of the upper and lower uterine segments wall thickness in predicting the progress of preterm labour in patients presenting with preterm labour pains.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty pregnant women presenting at Obstetrics Department - Suez Canal University, Egypt with regular lower abdominal pains and diagnosed as having preterm labour were enrolled in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurements of the upper and lower uterine segments wall thickness by transabdominal ultrasonography in-between contractions and with full bladder were taken. The upper/lower uterine wall thickness ratio was calculated and correlated to the progress of the preterm labour and to the response to tocolytics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ultrasonographic upper/lower uterine wall thickness ratio was directly related to the progress of preterm delivery (PTD). The change in this ratio is correlated inversely with the response to tocolysis. Using the ROC curve, when the upper/lower uterine wall thickness ratio was ≤ 1.26 the sensitivity was 94.74 and the specificity was 100.00, and when the ratio was ≤ 1.52 the sensitivity was 100.00 and the specificity was 83.33.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data may serve as a baseline ultrasonographic reference values for further studies in prediction the progress of preterm labour in patients presenting with preterm labour pains.
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Sayed Ahmed
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Madny
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Habash
authors.forename: Z M
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.forename: A G K
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Morsy
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Said
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D004534:Egypt; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015149:Tocolytic Agents