Predictive role of transvaginal ultrasonographic measurement of cervical length at 22-26 weeks of gestation for preterm deliveries in twin pregnancies

Abstract

Aim of this study is to investigate the predictive role of transvaginal ultrasonographic measurement of cervical length (CL) at 22-26 weeks of gestation in determining preterm deliveries in twin pregnancies. CL was measured by transvaginal ultrasonography at 22-26 weeks in 75 twin pregnancies. Signs of preterm labor, ruptured membranes, vaginal bleeding, patients with systemic disease, cervical incompetence were excluded. The primary outcome was spontaneous preterm birth at before 37 weeks of gestation. 63 pregnancies delivered with cesarean section and 10 (% 13.3) babies had NICU requirement. The mean CLM was 37±7.26 mm in patients. Twenty patient (%27) were hospitalized with a diagnosis of preterm labor. 46 patients were delivered at small than 37 gestational weeks and the mean CLM was 37.63±6.53 mm. 29 patients occurred term delivery with 38.64±6.23mm CLM. According to the ROC curve analysis CLM was found to be a discriminative parameter in patients. The area under curve (AUC), cut off values, sensitivity and specificity were 0.794, 34.95 and %70-80; respectively (p=0.029). In twin pregnancies, measurement of CL with transvaginal ultrasonography at 22-26 weeks of gestation can be of beneficial in predicting the risk of preterm deliveries