title: Sonographic Cervical Shortening after Labor Induction is a Predictor of Vaginal Delivery.
abstract: ObjectiveAnalyzing if the sonographic evaluation of the cervix (cervical shortening) is a prognostic marker for vaginal delivery.MethodsWomen who underwent labor induction by using dinoprostone were enrolled. Before the induction and three hours after it, the cervical length was measured by ultrasonography to obtain the cervical shortening. The cervical shortening was introduced in logistic regression models among independent variables and for calculating receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.ResultsEach centimeter in the cervical shortening increases the odds of vaginal delivery in 24.4% within 6 hours; in 16.1% within 24 hours; and in 10.5% within 48 hours. The best predictions for vaginal delivery are achieved for births within 6 and 24 hours, while the cervical shortening poorly predicts vaginal delivery within 48 hours.ConclusionThe greater the cervical shortening 3 hours after labor induction, the higher the likelihood of vaginal delivery within 6, 24 and 48 hours.
authors.affiliation: Complex Operative Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alto Tevere Hospital of Città di Castello, Città di Castello (PG), Italy.
authors.forename: Ugo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Indraccolo
authors.affiliation: Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Cona (FE), Italy.
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scutiero
authors.affiliation: Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Cona (FE), Italy.
authors.forename: Pantaleo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Greco
mesh_terms: D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced; D036801:Parturition / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012372:ROC Curve; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography