Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
3919709 European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 2015 5 Pages PDF
Abstract

ObjectiveWomen with a mid-trimester short cervical length (CL) are at increased risk for preterm delivery. Consequently, CL measurement is a potential screening tool to identify women at risk for preterm birth. Our objective was to assess possible associations between CL and maternal characteristics.Study designA nationwide screening study was performed in which CL was measured during the standard anomaly scan among low risk women with a singleton pregnancy. Data on maternal height, pre-pregnancy weight, ethnicity, parity and gestational age at the time of the CL measurement were collected from January 2010 to December 2012. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between CL and maternal characteristics.ResultsWe included 5092 women. The mean CL was 44.3 mm. No association was found between CL and maternal height or gestational age of the measurement. Maternal weight was associated with CL (p = 0.007, adjusted R2 0.03). Separate analysis for BMI did not change these results. Ethnicity, known in 2702 out of 5092 women, was associated with CL (mean CL in Caucasian women 45.0 mm, Asian 43.9 mm, Mediterranean 43.1 mm, and African 41.8 mm, p = 0.003), as well as parity (mean CL multiparous 45.3 mm, nulliparous 43.5 mm, p < 0.0001).ConclusionShorter mid-trimester cervical length is associated with higher maternal weight, younger maternal age, nulliparity and non-Caucasian ethnicity, but not with maternal height.

Related Topics
Health Sciences Medicine and Dentistry Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health
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