MIDTRIMESTER SONOGRAPHIC CERVICAL LENGTH MEASUREMENT IN PREDICTION OF PRETERM BIRTH

Background: Spontaneous preterm delivery, main source of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Forecasting high-probability category for premature delivery, primarily at 34 weeks, and timely management to avert this gestational problem have thus been health-care challenge. Cervical length estimated by TVS foresee premature delivery in asymptomatic low-probability women. Methods: Prospective observational study conducted on 100 asymptomatic pregnant women who met inclusion and exclusion criteria were choosen at random. Using ultrasonography, cervical length is measured and they were followed-up after 3-4 weeks and till delivery and their gestation age at delivery, mode of delivery, birth weight of baby, NICU admissions were noted. Results: In Present study, about 47% had cervical length equal to or less than 2.5 cm. About 53% had more than 2.5 cm cervical length and about 35% of the mother delivered Preterm less than 37 weeks of gestational age & about 65% of the mother delivered at and more than 37 weeks of gestational age. Hence Cervical length estimation by transvaginal sonogram has a genuinely precise sensitivity and specificity in expectation of premature delivery. Conclusions: Preterm birth has a remarkable impact on perinatal mortality and morbidity. The use of TVS to determine the cervical length has the potential to help forecast the probability of preterm labor. Cervical length estimation at 18 to 24 weeks as standard screening strategy is practical and has great legitimacy as a successful screening test, and should be offered to all pregnant women.