Assessment of cervical length in pregnant women with extreme ages

Abstract Abstract Background: In recent years, besides affecting the baby and its relatives, prematurity has led to high costs for public health. In this sense, in order to invest in prevention policies, the literature indicates the need to investigate the relationship between cervical length and premature delivery in the first gestational trimester through transvaginal ultrasound. Objectives: The objective was to verify whether the measurement of the cervix influenced the prematurity of the delivery of pregnant women categorized in extreme ages (20 - 34 years old and 35 - 50 years old). Another objective was to verify whether the uterine cervix measurement differs between the groups. Study Design: This is a field study, descriptive and exploratory, quantitative and non-probabilistic in nature. Results: Uterine cervix measurement did not statistically influence prematurity < 34 weeks in pregnant women aged between 20 and 34 years old (p = 0.781). None of the maternal characteristics statistically influenced prematurity, < 34 weeks, in pregnant women aged between 35 and 50 years old (p > 0.05). The chance of prematurity, < 37 weeks, among pregnant women aged between 20 and 34 years old (p> 0.05) decreased by 5% to every millimeter more of cervical measurement regardless of other maternal characteristics. Among pregnant women aged between 35 and 50 years old, the chance of prematurity < 37 weeks increased by 7% (p = 0.018) and to every millimeter of cervical measurement, the chance of prematurity decreased by 8% (p = 0.014) regardless of other maternal characteristics. Conclusions: It is concluded that cervical length in the first trimester is not a predictor of prematurity. Therefore, there is no need to invest clinical or technological efforts to investigate possible prematurity by the cervical length in the first gestational trimester. Keywords: Obstetrics. Early Diagnosis. Ultrasonography. Cervical length measurement. Cervix Uteri. Pregnancy. Fetal Medicine. Prenatal Care. Obstetric labor. Premature Birth