Modern sonographic markers for the prognosis of preterm birth in women with different somatotypes

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Preterm birth is one of the causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Premature infants have an increased risk of death and the development of neurological and other disorders.
 AIM:The aim of this study was to evaluate the modern sonographic parameters of the cervix in pregnant women with different somatotypes and to develop a mathematical model for predicting preterm birth.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS:The study included 390 women, among whom 110 were classified with macrosomatic, 173 with mesosomatic, and 107 with microsomatic types. Somatotype was determined in women in early stages of pregnancy (before 9-10 weeks of gestation) using the R.N. Dorokhov anthropometric test method. The utero-cervical angle was measured, shear wave elastography was performed, and the average shear wave speed in the area of the internal cervical os was determined. All measurements were performed on a Philips EPIQ 5 ultrasound machine.
 RESULTS:Preterm birth was more often identified in women with macro- and microsomatic types in comparison with women with mesosomatic type (p 0.05). In pregnant women with subsequent preterm birth at 22-23 weeks, the average SWS in the area of the internal cervical os was reduced (p 0.05) and the utero-cervical angle was higher in comparison with those women who did not have preterm birth (p 0.05). Using multiple regression analysis, we obtained the regression equation (formula), which predicts the development of preterm birth in women with different somatotypes.
 CONCLUSIONS:Such parameters as the average shear wave speed in the area of the internal cervical os and the utero-cervical angle may be regarded as markers of preterm birth. The mathematical formula obtained allows for predicting the development of preterm birth in women with different somatotypes and for timely prevention of pathology.