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Ultrasound measurement of cervical length

Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) measurements of CL is consist­ently one of the strongest predictors of sPTB in women with symp­toms of PTL and asymptomatic populations in both singletons and twins (Figure 30.2).

There is an increased likelihood of sPTB as the CL decreases. When using a short CL for risk prediction in an asymptomatic cohort, pre­diction is improved when screening a predefined high-risk popula­tion. For a 10% false-positive rate, the detection rate of spontaneous delivery before 32 weeks was 38% for maternal factors (obstetric his­tory, smoking, etc.), 55% for CL measurement alone, and 69% for combined testing (35). A systematic review of TVUS measurement

Table 30.1 Effect of past obstetric history upon absolute risk of preterm birth

First delivery Second delivery Absolute risk of preterm labour
Term singleton Preterm singleton 4.0% (95% CI 3.9-4.0)
Term twin Preterm singleton 1.3% (95% CI 0.7-2.0)
Preterm singleton Preterm singleton 20.2% (95% CI 19.9-20.6)
Preterm twin low prevalance of pre­term labour between study populations affecting positive and nega­tive predictive values despite stable sensitivities and specificities.

In view of the multiple pathophysiology of PTB, it is unrealistic to expect a single biomarker to be able to predict sPTB in early ges­tation. The ideal biomarker test or predictive model should try to incorporate the fewest numbers of biomarkers to be measured, be highly sensitive and specific, exist in a biological fluid that is without risk to obtain, and be detectable early enough in pregnancy to allow for preventative measures to be taken.

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