The Value of Transvaginal Ultrasonographic Examination of the Uterine Cervix in Predicting Preterm Delivery

Objective To evaluate the value of transvaginal ultrasonographic examination of the uterine cervix in predicting pretem delivery. Methods Transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) was performed in 52 patients admitted with threatened preterm labor and with intact membranes. Cervical parameters of the ultrasonography were evaluated including endocervical length, the presence of funneling, funnel length, funnel width and cervical indexs[(Funnel length+1)/Endocervical length]. Results The prevalence of preterm delivery was 26.92%(14/52) in 52 patients with threatened preterm labor despite routine tocolytic therapy. A significant relationship was indicated by logistic regression analysis between the occurrence of preterm delivery and ultrasonographic cervical parameters( P 0.001 respectively). But of all ultrasonographic parameters the cervical length was the best predictor of preterm delivery. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that a cervical length of 17 mm was the best cut off point to predict the preterm delivery occurrence, the sensitivity and specificity were 78.57% and 86.84% respectively. Conclusions It is suggested that the transvaginal uitrasonographic examination of the uterine cervix is an objective and accurate method for the prediction of the outcome of the patients with threatened preterm labor and intact membranes.