Amniocentesis Prior to Physical Exam–Indicated Cerclage in Women with Midtrimester Cervical Dilation: Results from the Expectant Management Compared to Physical Exam–indicated Cerclage International Cohort Study

ABSTRACT

We evaluated whether the performance of an amniocentesis in women with a dilated cervix presenting at less than 26 weeks and subsequently managed by a physical exam–indicated cerclage increases the risk of spontaneous preterm birth (PTB) less than 28 weeks. Women between 15⁰/₇ to 25⁶/₇ weeks' gestation with a dilated cervix (1 to 4 cm) were identified. Multiple exclusion criteria were designated. The primary outcome was PTB less than 28 weeks. One hundred twenty-two women with a dilated cervix between 15 and 25⁶/₇ weeks gestational age were identified. Twenty-four (20%) of these had an amniocentesis performed. The unadjusted rate of PTB < 28 weeks differed between women who underwent amniocentesis compared with those who did not (58% versus 34%, respectively, p = 0.02), but after multivariate regression analysis, the performance of an amniocentesis was not an independent contributor to PTB < 28 weeks (p = 0.90). The performance of an amniocentesis prior to cerclage did not independently contribute to PTB less than 28 weeks.

KEYWORDS

Amniocentesis - cerclage - preterm birth - intra-amniotic infection

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