OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether measurement of the thickness of the fetal membranes by high-resolution ultrasound is a useful marker to predict preterm delivery. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-eight women with singleton pregnancies at 18-35 gestational weeks were enrolled consecutively at our referral center for obstetric care and the thickness of their fetal membranes was measured using high-resolution ultrasound equipment. Data were analyzed to determine whether there were significant differences between those delivering at term and those delivering preterm. Receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to determine the best cut-off point of membrane thickness for predicting preterm birth. RESULTS: Women who delivered preterm had greater fetal membrane thickness than did those who delivered at term (1.67 +/- 0.27 mm vs. 1.14 +/- 0.30 mm, P < 0.0001). For the best cut-off indicated by ROC curve analysis (1.2 mm), the sensitivity and specificity for predicting preterm birth were 100% (95% CI, 80.3-100) and 69.5% (95% CI, 61.2-77.0), respectively, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were 3.3 and 0.0, respectively. CONCLUSION: Sonographic measurement of fetal membrane thickness could be helpful in the prediction of preterm delivery. (c) 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether measurement of the thickness of the fetal membranes by high-resolution ultrasound is a useful marker to predict preterm delivery. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-eight women with singleton pregnancies at 18-35 gestational weeks were enrolled consecutively at our referral center for obstetric care and the thickness of their fetal membranes was measured using high-resolution ultrasound equipment. Data were analyzed to determine whether there were significant differences between those delivering at term and those delivering preterm. Receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to determine the best cut-off point of membrane thickness for predicting preterm birth. RESULTS:Women who delivered preterm had greater fetal membrane thickness than did those who delivered at term (1.67 +/- 0.27 mm vs. 1.14 +/- 0.30 mm, P < 0.0001). For the best cut-off indicated by ROC curve analysis (1.2 mm), the sensitivity and specificity for predicting preterm birth were 100% (95% CI, 80.3-100) and 69.5% (95% CI, 61.2-77.0), respectively, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were 3.3 and 0.0, respectively. CONCLUSION: Sonographic measurement of fetal membrane thickness could be helpful in the prediction of preterm delivery. (c) 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Authors: Vanessa Nunes; Jennifer Cross; John E Speich; Danielle R Morgan; Jerome F Strauss; Ronald M Ramus Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2016-12-09 Impact factor: 3.007