Pregnancy Outcomes of Women Admitted to a Tertiary Care Centre with Short Cervix

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to characterize the management and outcome of women admitted to a tertiary high-risk obstetrics unit with a short cervix (≤25 mm), measured on transvaginal ultrasound (TVS), and to determine the latency period from diagnosis to delivery. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of women admitted to the High Risk Obstetrics Unit at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre between 2005-2011 with an ultrasound-identified short cervix was done. RESULTS: A total of 110 women admitted for a short cervix between 2005-2011 (N = 56 singletons; N = 54 twin gestations) met the inclusion criteria. The mean latency to delivery was 62.6 days; mean GA at delivery was 33.9 weeks. Following 7 and 14 days of admission, 5.5% and 11.8% of women had delivered, respectively. Preterm birth occurred in 70% of all women. Cervical length was a significant factor in predicting latency among singletons, whereas the length of stay in hospital for activity restriction was not. CONCLUSIONS: Although many women with a short cervix delivered preterm, only a small proportion delivered within 2 weeks of admission. Although it is not clear whether inpatient management improves the pregnancy outcome, these findings have implications for both patient care and health resources.

Pregnancy Outcomes of Women Admitted to a Tertiary Care Centre with Short Cervix Journal Articles