Xueya Qian1,2, Yanmin Jiang1, Lei Liu1, Shao-Qing Shi1, Robert E Garfield1, Huishu Liu1. 1. a Preterm Birth Prevention and Treatment Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou , China and. 2. b Department of Obstetrics , First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University , Guangzhou , China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to estimate changes in the surface area of the ectocervix (CA) in women during pregnancy and compare this to postpartum and non-pregnant states. METHODS: CA was evaluated in 210 normal nulliparous women divided into groups from early to late gestation, 40 postpartum women, and 25 non-pregnant women. CA in cm(2) was estimated from analysis of images taken with an endoscope of the cervical face and an mm scale. An mm scale was also used to determine fornix length and fornix area computed. RESULTS: The face, fornix, and total areas of the CA of non-pregnant and postpartum groups are significantly smaller (p < 0.001) than these areas in groups during pregnancy. Generally, the CA of the face, fornix, and total area are also less in early pregnancy compared with late gestation (p < 0.01 to <0.001). Total CA correlates with gestational age (r = 0.196, p < 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: (1) During pregnancy, CA slowly and progressively increases to >75% area compared with CA of non-pregnant patients and then reverts back to low CA postpartum. (2) Increases in CA during pregnancy occur in both the face and fornix areas. (3) Increases in CA reflect enlargement in cervical volume and remodeling during pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to estimate changes in the surface area of the ectocervix (CA) in women during pregnancy and compare this to postpartum and non-pregnant states. METHODS: CA was evaluated in 210 normal nulliparous women divided into groups from early to late gestation, 40 postpartum women, and 25 non-pregnant women. CA in cm(2) was estimated from analysis of images taken with an endoscope of the cervical face and an mm scale. An mm scale was also used to determine fornix length and fornix area computed. RESULTS: The face, fornix, and total areas of the CA of non-pregnant and postpartum groups are significantly smaller (p < 0.001) than these areas in groups during pregnancy. Generally, the CA of the face, fornix, and total area are also less in early pregnancy compared with late gestation (p < 0.01 to <0.001). Total CA correlates with gestational age (r = 0.196, p < 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: (1) During pregnancy, CA slowly and progressively increases to >75% area compared with CA of non-pregnant patients and then reverts back to low CA postpartum. (2) Increases in CA during pregnancy occur in both the face and fornix areas. (3) Increases in CA reflect enlargement in cervical volume and remodeling during pregnancy.
Authors: Quinton W Guerrero; Helen Feltovich; Ivan M Rosado-Mendez; Lindsey C Carlson; Timothy J Hallcor Journal: Ultrasound Med Biol Date: 2018-11-22 Impact factor: 2.998
Authors: Christine M O'Brien; Elizabeth Vargis; Amy Rudin; James C Slaughter; Giju Thomas; J Michael Newton; Jeff Reese; Kelly A Bennett; Anita Mahadevan-Jansen Journal: Am J Obstet Gynecol Date: 2018-02-02 Impact factor: 8.661