Prediction of risk for preterm delivery by ultrasonographic measurement of cervical length

Risk assessment for preterm delivery remains difficult, particularly among women with no prior history of preterm birth. We hypothesized that accurate assessment of cervical length by endovaginal ultrasonography could predict preterm delivery risk. A total of 178 patients with singleton gestations and without cervical incompetence were studied with transabdominal ultrasonography and endovaginal ultrasonographic cervical length measurement and manual vaginal examination of cervical length. A total of 113 patients who were evaluated by 30 weeks' gestation (excluding four induced preterm deliveries) were analyzed. Preterm delivery risk was compared between women with cervical lengths equal to or greater than the median and those with cervical lengths less than the median. An endovaginal ultrasonographic cervical measurement