Transvaginal Cervical Screening in Individuals with Previous Late Preterm Birth

Diana Aboukhater; Amira Elzarea; Shaida Campbell; Wave Hatton; Tracey DeYoung; Jerri Waller; Tetsuya Kawakita

doi:10.1055/a-2526-5492

American Journal of Perinatology, Table of Contents

Am J Perinatol
DOI: 10.1055/a-2526-5492

Original Article

Transvaginal Cervical Screening in Individuals with Previous Late Preterm Birth

Diana Aboukhater

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU, Norfolk, Virginia

,

Amira Elzarea

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU, Norfolk, Virginia

,

Shaida Campbell

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU, Norfolk, Virginia

,

Wave Hatton

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU, Norfolk, Virginia

,

Tracey DeYoung

²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, U.S. Navy Hospital in Okinawa, Ginowan, Okinawa, Japan

,

Jerri Waller

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU, Norfolk, Virginia

,

Tetsuya Kawakita

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU, Norfolk, Virginia

³Center for Maternal and Child Health Equity and Advocacy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of ultrasound cervical length (CL) screening in reducing preterm births among individuals with various preterm birth histories, aiming to optimize prevention strategies.

Study Design This retrospective cohort study included 576 pregnant individuals with singleton pregnancies and a history of preterm birth, who underwent transvaginal ultrasound CL screening between January 2014 and December 2020. The primary outcome was the detection of a short cervix (≤2.5 cm). We compared outcomes among individuals with a previous gestational age (GA) of 34 to 36, 28 to 33, 24 to 27, and <24 weeks. Adjusted relative risks (aRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using modified Poisson's regression with robust variance, controlling for predefined confounders.

Results Of 576 (35%), 139 (24.1%) had a previous birth at 34 to 36 weeks, 129 (22.4%) had a previous birth at 28 to 33 weeks, 90 (15.6%) had a previous birth at 24 to 27 weeks, and 218 (37.8%) had a previous birth <24 weeks. Compared with individuals with a previous GA 34 to 36 weeks, the risk of short cervix was higher in those with a previous <24 weeks (21.6 vs. 52.8%, aRR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.81–3.62) and GA 24 to 27 weeks (40.0%, aRR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.20–2.71), but no difference was found with those with previous GA 28 to 33 weeks (24.8%, aRR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.72–1.72). Compared with individuals with previous GA 28 to 33 weeks, individuals with prior GA 34 to 36 weeks had the same risk of cerclage placement and preterm birth <34 weeks, but a lower risk of composite neonatal outcomes.

Conclusion Based on our results of similar incidence of the short cervix between individuals with previous GA 34 to 36 weeks and those with previous GA 28 to 33 weeks, individuals with a history of late preterm birth should receive CL screening in a similar manner.

Key Points

Similar short cervix for prior 34 to 36 versus 28 to 33 weeks.
Lower risk of neonatal outcomes in the prior 34 to 36 weeks of birth.
Screening is warranted for any prior preterm birth.

Keywords

cervical cerclage - cervical length screening - gestational age - neonatal outcomes - preterm birth - transvaginal ultrasound

Full Text

References

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Supplementary Material

Supplementary Material