Comparison between static and dynamic cervical assessment in prediction of preterm birth

Abstract

Background: Preterm labor represents one of the most likely causes for prenatal hospitalization. Previously, the accuracy of cervical length measurement in predicting preterm birth was thoroughly examined. The current study aimed to compare static and dynamic cervical assessment in prediction and management of preterm labor.Methods: The present study was prospective comparative study and conducted on (75) pregnant female patients recruited from the antenatal clinic of El-Shatby Maternity University hospital in the period from October 2021 till August 2022. The patients included in the study were divided into three groups; the first group included (25) patients and all were subjected to static cervical assessment, the second group included (25) patients and all were subjected to dynamic cervical assessment and the last group included (25) patients and all were subjected to interval dynamic cervical assessment. All groups are almost matched in their general characteristics. All groups received tocolysis in the form of nifedipine slow-release tablets 20 mg twice daily. Conventional static and dynamic transvaginal ultrasound assessment of cervical length (CL) was done.Results: There were inverse relationships between gestational age (GA), fundal level (FL) and mean gestational age (MGA) with the latency period but there was a direct relationship between the parity and the static cervical length in all the studied groups. There was a statistically significant difference between the studied groups regarding their means of latency period in those with static cervical length >1.5-2.5 cm (most of cases in all groups). Although there was statistically significant difference between group A, B and C as regard their means of static and dynamic cervical length.Conclusions: The longer the latency period, the lengthier the cervical length. The latency period had an inverse correlation with gestational age. There was also a direct relationship among parity and cervical length. The cervical estimation using the fundal pressure method, dynamic cervical length, is more enlightening than the interval approach.