Prediction model for successful induction of labor by cervical strain elastography diagnosed at late-term pregnancy in nulliparous women: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The use of cervical strain elastography for nulliparous women during late-term pregnancy remains unclear. This study assesses the predictive value of late-term cervical strain elastography for successful induction of labor (IOL) in nulliparous women. METHODS: This single-centered, prospective study included 86 patients undergoing IOL between January 2020 and March 2022. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify predictive factors for successful IOL. The predictive values were assessed using the area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: IOL was successful in 58 patients. The hardness ratio and cervical length were significantly associated with successful late-term IOL in nulliparous women. The predictive value of the combination of hardness ratio and cervical length was higher than that of cervical length alone. CONCLUSIONS: The hardness ratio and cervical length assessed by cervical strain elastography during late-term pregnancy are predictors of the success of IOL in nulliparous women. The predictive value of the combination of hardness ratio and cervical length was higher than that of cervical length alone.

Ultrasound-Indicated Cervical Cerclage Efficacy Between 16 and 28 Weeks of Gestation in Twin Pregnancy: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine if cervical cerclage administration reduces the preterm birth (PTB) rate at a gestational age (GA) of 16-28 weeks in women with twin pregnancy. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study on asymptomatic twin pregnancy with an ultrasound-identified cervix length (CL) of ≦25 mm. The patients were divided into two groups: ultrasound-indicated cerclage (UIC) group and control (expectant management) group. The primary outcome was a PTB rate at <34 weeks. A logistic regression was also performed, and a subgroup analysis stratified by CL and GA at first short cervix diagnosis was planned. Results: In all 320 women, there were no differences in the overall <34-week PTB rates and neonatal outcomes between the UIC group and control group. After performing a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the subgroup analyses were planned. In patients with a CL of ≦15 mm, the <34-week PTB rate was significantly decreased in the UIC subgroup compared with the control subgroup (60.78% vs 78.26%; odds ratio (OR) = 0.43, confidence interval (CI) = 95% [0.22-0.86]; and p = 0.020). In patients with a first short cervix diagnosis GA of ≦24 weeks, the <34-week PTB rate was significantly decreased in the UIC subgroup when compared with the control subgroup (61.54% vs 84.75%; OR = 0.29; CI = 95% [0.13-0.63]; and p = 0.001). Furthermore, compared with the control groups, the UIC groups had higher mean birth weight, lower perinatal mortality, and lower NICU admission, and the differences were statistically significant. Conclusion: UIC could significantly reduce the <34-week PTB rate and improve perinatal outcomes in patients with a CL of ≦15mm or first short cervix diagnosis GA of ≦24 weeks with asymptomatic twin pregnancy during the second trimester.