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DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1371710
Implementation of a Universal Cervical Length Screening Program for the Prevention of Preterm Birth
Publication History
16 December 2013
07 January 2014
Publication Date:
04 April 2014 (online)
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/ajp/201412/lookinside/thumbnails/10.1055-s-0034-1371710-1.jpg)
Abstract
Objective The objective of this article is to evaluate the implementation and acceptability of a universal cervical length (CL) screening program for prediction and prevention of preterm birth (PTB).
Study Design We performed a prospective observational study to evaluate the implementation and acceptability of a universal CL screening program. Between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2012, women with singleton gestations, without a cerclage or prior spontaneous PTB, were offered transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) for CL between 180/7 and 236/7 weeks' gestation. Sonographers and medical staff received education before implementation. Intervention for a short CL was interpreted according to a standard protocol. On June 1, 2012, our program was modified from “opt-in” to “opt-out.” SPSS 20.0 (released 2011, IBM statistics for Windows version 20, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) was used for analysis.
Results Over 12 months, 1,484 (87%) of 1,706 eligible women were offered CL screening, and 1,119 (75%) were actually screened. Women were more likely to accept CL screening if they were nulliparous versus multiparous (83 vs. 68%, p < 0.001) and if the sonographer was female versus male (83 vs. 42%, p < 0.001). Implementation of an “opt-out” protocol did not increase the overall number of women accepting CL screening compared with an “opt-in” approach (76 vs. 75%, p = 0.81)
Conclusion Universal CL screening can be feasibly implemented and is acceptable to most women.
Note
This article was presented at the SMFM Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine 33rd Annual Meeting, February 2013, San Francisco, CA.
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References
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