Indicators for Cervical Length in Twin Pregnancies

Abstract

Objective Cervical length (CL) is associated with the risk of preterm birth (PTB) in multiple pregnancies. However, the position of CL within the pathophysiological pathway of PTB is unclear, and it is unknown which factors are predictive for CL. This study aims to investigate whether in twin pregnancies baseline maternal and obstetrical characteristics are potential indicators for CL, to improve insight in the pathophysiological pathway of PTB.

Study Design Secondary analysis of data on twin pregnancies and CL measurement between 16 and 22 weeks. A set of 10 potential indicators, known to be associated with an increased risk of PTB and/or which have a plausible mechanism resulting in a change of CL were selected. We used multivariable linear regression with backward selection to identify independent indicators for CL.

Results A total of 1,447 women with twin pregnancies were included. Mean CL was 43.7 (± 8.9) mm. In multivariable analysis, age (0.27 mm/y; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.16 to 0.39), use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) (−1.42 mm, 95% CI −2.6 to −0.25), and having delivered at term in a previous pregnancy (1.32 mm, 95% CI 0.25 to 2.39) were significantly associated with CL.

Conclusion This study shows that in twin pregnancies, age, use of ART and having delivered term in a previous pregnancy has an association with CL.

Keywords

preterm birth - cervical length - indicators - multiple pregnancies

Authors' Contributions

Conceived and designed the experiments: F. J. R. H., B. W. J. M., E. S., B. C. O. Analyzed the data: E. S., F. J. R. H. Wrote the first draft of the article: F. J. R. H. Contributed to the writing of the article: F. J. R. H., E. S., B. C. O., B. W. J. M. Contributed and acquired data for the original trials, corrected article: S. M. S. L., A. C. L. HD, L. C. J. S., M. A. O., K. W. M. B., M. M. W., M. M. F., B. N. B., D. J. B. ICMJE criteria for authorship read and met: F. J. R. H., E. S., B. W. J. M., B. C. O., S. M. S. L., A. C. L, L. C. J. S., M. A. O., K. W. M. B., M. M. W., M. M. F., B. N. B., D. J. B. Agree with article results and conclusions: F. J. R. H, E. S., B. W. J. M., B. C. O., S. M. S. L., A. C. L HD, L. C. J. S., M. A. O., K. W. M. B., M. M. W., M. M. F., B. N. B., D. J. B.

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