Evaluation of the cervix by ultrasound for the prediction of preterm birth

Sonographic evaluation of the uterine cervix can accurately assess cervical length and image other characteristics of the cervix and lower uterine segment, and it offers significant advantages over the digital examination. Although the cervix has been recognized as an important anatomic component of the spontaneous preterm birth syndrome, the relationship between cervical length and reproductive performance has been widely reported. These investigations confirm a significant, inverse relationship between cervical length and the risk for spontaneous preterm birth, although its predictive accuracy varies according to the population studied. At present, cervical ultrasound represents an important research tool with potential clinical applications in women at appreciable risk for spontaneous preterm birth.