PREDICTION OF PROLONGED PREGNANCY IN NULLIPAROUS WOMEN BY TRANSVAGINAL ULTRASOUND MEASUREMENT OF CERVICAL LENGTH AT 37 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY

Abstract

Background: Prolonged pregnancy occurs in approximately 10% of all singleton pregnancies. It is a common cause of increased fetal, maternal and neonatal risks. Objective: To evaluate transvaginal ultrasound measurement of cervical length at 37 weeks gestation as a predictor of prolonged pregnancy in nulliparous women. Patients and methods: This study had been conducted in Al-Kadhymia teaching hospital which enrolled 100 nulliparous women with singleton gestation at 37 weeks. Cervical length was measured by transvaginal ultrasonography at 37 weeks gestation. Results: Cervical length at 37 weeks gestation was longer in women who delivered at > 40 weeks than those delivered at ≤40 weeks and the best cutoff value of cervical length at 37 weeks for the prediction of prolonged pregnancy was 30 mm with a sensitivity of 67% and specificity of 100%. Conclusion: Cervical length at 37 weeks gestation assessed by transvaginal ultrasonography can predict the likelihood of prolonged pregnancy in nulliparous women.