CERVICAL CONIZATION AND PRETERM DELIVERY LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT - A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Objective. Evaluate the effect of cervical conization on preterm birth /low birth weight (LBW). Design. A systematic review of the literature using external or internal controls. Results. The typical odds ratio for preterm delivery in women with prior cervical conization using ext ernal controls was 3.23 (95% confidence interval 2.29-4.55). Using int ernal controls the typical odds ratio for LBW was 2.97 (95% confidence interval 1.09-8.05). Using external controls the typical odds ratio f or LBW was 2.31 (95% confidence interval 1.33-3.99). Conclusion. Women with cervical conization are at higher risk for preterm birth than ex ternal controls, and the surgical intervention as such is a major dete rmining factor.