Understanding the Controversy: Screening for Preterm Delivery in Low-Risk Singleton Pregnancies
Screening for SPD by transvaginal CL measurement in mid-pregnancy may reduce the incidence of severe prematurity in low-risk singleton pregnancies.
This retrospective study in a large number of subjects and homogenous population, compares the effect of a policy of screening for spontaneous preterm delivery (SPD) by transvaginal cervical length (CL) measurement versus a no screening policy in the prevention of severe prematurity.
The study provides evidence on the value of screening for preterm delivery in low-risk singleton pregnancies by cervical length measurement at 20–24 weeks. The screened population had significantly lower chance of preterm birth less than 32 weeks compared to the not- screened population (0.3% versus 0.8% respectively).
Prematurity remains the major cause of neonatal death, hence the necessity of a screening test for all women should be indisputable.