Two years follow-up study of sludge during the second trimester pregnancy: Does it disappear?

Premature delivery is the main cause of neonatal mortality and morbidities all around the world. It is a controversy that if cervical sludge may lead to preterm birth or not. Several studies suggested that transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) should be applied for screening of cervical abnormalities and shortening, to prevent preterm birth. We aimed to assess the sludge behaviors during the second trimester pregnancy and until birth, using vaginal ultrasonography. This was a cross-sectional prospective study conducted on ۵۰ pregnant women from ۲۰۲۰-۲۰۲۱ at Royan Institute, Iran. Women underwent three TVS examinations during ۲nd trimester at ۱۴-۱۷th, ۱۸-۲۱st and ۲۳rd weeks of gestation. Cervical length, presence of funneling and sludge were evaluated in each examination and changes were recorded in questionnaires. Findings were compared using SPSS۲۰ software. At first TVS scan, ۹ women (۱۸%) had sludge. After a month in second examination, it was present in ۷ persons (۱۴%). At last, sludge was detected in only ۵ examinees (۱۰%). Our study demonstrated that prevalence of sludge decreases during the second trimester, however it was not statically significant. Furthermore, all women with sludge experienced a term delivery and no preterm birth was reported in our examinees.

کلیدواژه ها:

Premature delivery ، sludge ، cervix ، ultrasonography