Uterine electrical activity as predictor of preterm birth in women with preterm contractions

Objective: To estimate the risk of preterm birth in women admitted to the t ertiary maternity hospital for preterm contractions by measuring electrical uterine activity. Study design: The study included 47 patients: with contr actions between the 25th and 35th week of gestation and additional risk fac tors far preterm delivery. Uterine electrical activity was recorded using b ipolar electrodes placed on the abdominal surface. A logistic model with th e electromyographic and obstetric data was built, preterm delivery before 3 7th week of gestation being the outcome measure. Results: Seventeen patient s (36%) delivered before term. Logistic regression model suggested only the intensity of electrical uterine activity and woman's body weight to be sig nificant predictors of preterm delivery, with high values related to preter m birth. They predict preterm delivery with the sensitivity of 47% and spec ificity of 90%. Conclusion: We propose uterine EMG as a simple, non-invasiv e means to estimate the risk of preterm birth in a high-risk population wit h multiple risk factors present. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.