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Cervical length and the risk of spontaneous labor at term

Journal of Perinatology volume 27, pages 749–753 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate the relationship between cervical length (CL) at 37 to 40 weeks and delivery within 7 days and delivery by 41 weeks.

Study design:

We performed transvaginal ultrasound to measure CL in women with singleton gestations at 37 to 40 weeks. We then used a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) to assess the relationship between CL and delivery within 7 days and delivery by 41 weeks.

Result:

For the 120 women included in the analysis, the mean CL (±s.d.) was 25.3±9.8 mm. The logistic regression model to predict each of the outcomes includes gestational age at ultrasound (GA-US) and CL. Neither birthweight, nor parity seems to affect the probability of delivery within 7 days. The ROC curve was used to assess the probability of spontaneous labor within 7 days at each CL measurement. The likelihood ratio of delivery within 7 days when CL is ⩽10 mm is 12.

Conclusion:

CL measurement at 37–40 weeks is an independent predictor of delivery within 7 days and delivery by 41 weeks regardless of GA-US. This information can be utilized when counseling patients regarding the management of term pregnancies.

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Acknowledgements

This study is funded by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, District IV 2001 Special Award and presented in part at the Annual Clinical Meeting of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 2002.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, USA

    L L Tolaymat, L Sanchez-Ramos & A Kaunitz

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA

    V H Gonzalez-Quintero, M J O'Sullivan & D Martin

  3. Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA

    P Wludyka

Authors
  1. L L Tolaymat
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  2. V H Gonzalez-Quintero
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  3. L Sanchez-Ramos
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  4. A Kaunitz
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  5. P Wludyka
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  6. M J O'Sullivan
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  7. D Martin
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Correspondence to L L Tolaymat.

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Tolaymat, L., Gonzalez-Quintero, V., Sanchez-Ramos, L. et al. Cervical length and the risk of spontaneous labor at term. J Perinatol 27, 749–753 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211819

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