Transvaginal Ultrasound Measurement of the Uterocervical Angle for Prediction of Spontaneous Preterm Birth

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Published: Mar 1, 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14456/tjog.2021.14
Keywords:
cervical length preterm birth transvaginal ultrasound uterocervical angle

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Kulwadee Kitipoonwongwanid
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital Navamindradhiraj University, 681 Samsen Road, Dusit district, Bangkok 10300, Thailand
Adjima Soongsatitanon
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

Objective: To determine the predictive values for spontaneous preterm birth by using transvaginal ultrasonography of the uterocervical angle (UCA) in pregnant women with 16-24 weeks’ gestation


Material and Methods:  A prospective cohort study was conducted in singleton pregnant women with 16-24 weeks’ gestation. The UCA was performed at the time of cervical length screening. The data were recorded. Then the predictive values for spontaneous preterm birth were calculated.


Results: The data from 528 pregnant women was analyzed. Fifty-nine women developed spontaneous preterm birth and seven of these developed preterm birth at < 34 weeks. The UCA was significantly wider in preterm group when compare with controls (102.8 degrees vs 88.7 degrees, P<0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values of the UCA more than 95 degrees for prediction of spontaneous preterm birth were 74.6%, 64.6%, 21.0% and 95.3% respectively. 


Conclusion: A wide uterocervical angle > 95 degrees detected during the second trimester was associated with an increased risk for spontaneous preterm birth < 37 weeks. This data showed that the uterocervical angle may be used as a screening tool for spontaneous preterm birth.

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How to Cite
(1)
Kitipoonwongwanid, K.; Soongsatitanon, A. Transvaginal Ultrasound Measurement of the Uterocervical Angle for Prediction of Spontaneous Preterm Birth. Thai J Obstet Gynaecol 2021, 29, 112-119.
Issue
VOL. 29, NO. 2: (March - April 2021)
Section
Original Article

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