The value of measuring cervical length between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation for predicting the risk of late and post-term pregnancy

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the value of measuring cervical length (CL) between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation for predicting the risk of late and post-term pregnancy.

Methods

In this prospective longitudinal study, pregnant women whose CL was measured between 24 and 28 weeks were followed until delivery. The CL was adjusted for confounders and the results are presented using odds ratio and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).

Results

A total of 874 women met the inclusion criteria. The median value of CL measured between 24 and 28 weeks was 34.0 mm (30.0–38.0 25%, 75% interquartile range). The risk of late and post-term pregnancy was 5.8 times higher in pregnant women with a CL above 35 mm between the 24 and 28 weeks of gestation (95% CI: 2.65-12.94 adjusted OR = 5.8, p < .001). For pregnancies exceeding the 38th week, it was observed that the duration of the gestation increases as CL values increase.

Conclusions

In this study, it has been demonstrated that measuring the CL between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation can predict late and post-term pregnancy. Prolonged pregnancy may cause neonatal and fetal complications and anxiety. CL measurement performed in these weeks can help prepare pregnant women for a possible prolonged pregnancy and cope with prolonged pregnancy anxiety.

Keywords:

• Cervical length
• early-term pregnancy
• late-term pregnancy
• post-term pregnancy
• prolonged pregnancy

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Anita L. Akkas (Middle East Technical University (ret), Ankara, Turkey) for contributing to the English editing.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).