Role of The Uterocervical Angle Assessment in Prediction of Preterm Birth in Singleton Pregnancies

Background: Preterm birth is one of the most important problemin obstetrics and we could not predict its occurrence. Theaim of this study is to find out whether the uterocervical angle(UCA) degree is related to predict the risk of SPTB (spontaneouspreterm birth) < ۳۴ weeks, without attention to cervicallength.Materials and Methods: In a pilot prospective Case-controlstudy, ۳۲۰ pregnant women that enter to study. For all of themtransvaginal cervical length were measured at (۱۶- ۱۸) and (۲۴-۲۶) weeks and uterocervical angle were detected in both times.the including ۳۰ mothers that had spontaneous preterm birthand gave birth before ۳۴ weeks of gestation (SPTB group) and۲۹۰ who had delivery at term (control group). Images of UCAmeasurement at two stages in every patient, were compared.Results: In the ۲۴ -۲۶ weeks Mean UCA increased in the(SPTB group) (۱۰۵°) compared with the control group (۹۵°).Mean UCA increased from the first to the second trimester (۸۵°vs. ۹۵°).Conclusion: In the ۲۴-۲۶ weeks or in the second trimesterWider UCA is associated with SPTB. UCA measurement is areproducible technique. UCA appears to increase from the firstto the second trimester. It is consider that may be wider USAin first trimester or in other wise too widening USA from firstto second trimester is an alarm for spontaneous preterm births.Prospective large studies, on measuring UCA in better condition,are considered necessary to perfectly evaluate the individualityof this parameter and its probability as an interpreter ofspontaneous preterm birth in practical fields.

کلیدواژه ها:

Transvaginal Ultrasound ، Cervical Length ، Uterocervical Angle ، Preterm Birth