SPONTANEOUSLY CHANGING GRAVID CERVIX - CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS AN PROGNOSTIC FEATURES

PURPOSE: To assess the implications of spontaneous changes in the leng th and configuration of the gravid cervix during a single ultrasound ( US) examination and to correlate specific cervical dimensions with pre gnancy outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sonograms in 27 pregnant patien ts with a spontaneously changing cervix were studied prospectively. Th e length and width of cervical funneling and the length of intact cerv ix caudal to the funneling were measured when the cervical dimensions were most normal and most abnormal. Sonographic measurements were corr elated with clinical and delivery data. RESULTS: Twenty patients deliv ered preterm, although only six delivered within a week of the US exam ination. Wider funneling of the internal os and a shorter segment of i ntact cervix caudal Co the funneling both correlated with an increased likelihood of preterm delivery. CONCLUSION: Most patients with a spon taneously changing cervix deliver preterm. Measurements obtained when the cervix appears most abnormal are most predictive of early delivery .