title: Universal cervical length screening in singleton gestations without a previous preterm birth: ten reasons why it should be implemented.
abstract: A short cervix is associated strongly with preterm birth. Pharmacologic intervention with vaginal progesterone in women with a singleton pregnancy and a short cervix in the second trimester decreases the incidence of preterm birth. We explore the evidence that universal cervical length screening in women with a singleton pregnancy meets the criteria for an effective screening test for preterm birth prevention, driving it towards becoming routinely offered in prenatal care.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Adeeb
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khalifeh
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA. Electronic address: vincenzo.berghella@jefferson.edu.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Berghella
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D054791:Cervical Length Measurement / Q000592:standards*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011372:Progestins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
chemical_list: D011372:Progestins; D011374:Progesterone
keywords: prematurity; progesterone