Significance of highly phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 and cervical length for prediction of preterm delivery in twin pregnancies

BACKGROUNDA twin pregnancy can carry greater risks than singleton pregnancies. About 60 in 100 twin pregnancies result in spontaneous birth before 37 wk, which is associated with several complications in the premature babies. Clinical detection of biomarkers may help to predict the possibility of premature birth so that corresponding interventions can be given to the pregnant women in a timely manner, in order to reduce the risk of preterm birth and improve the outcomes of the newborn infants.AIMTo explore the clinical value of transvaginal ultrasound measurement of cervical length combined with insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) hyperphosphorylation in cervical secretions as predictors of preterm delivery in twin pregnancies.METHODSA total of 254 pregnant women with twin pregnancies, who were admitted to Hainan General Hospital and underwent maternity examination, were selected as the study subjects from January 2015 to December 2018. All participants received transvaginal ultrasound measurement of cervical length and phosphorylated IGFBP-1 (phIGFBP-1) test between 24 and 34 wk gestation. The pregnancy outcomes were analyzed.RESULTSOf the women with a positive phIGFBP-1 test result, preterm birth rate was higher in those with a cervical length ≤ 25 mm than those with a cervical length > 25 mm (all P < 0.05). Similarly, in women with a negative phIGFBP-1 test result, preterm birth rate was higher in those with a cervical length ≤ 25 mm than those with a cervical length > 25 mm (all P < 0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the phIGFBP-1 test combined with the cervical length test were 95.71%, 91.21%, 95.12% and 92.22%, respectively, for the prediction of preterm birth.CONCLUSIONCervical length combined with phIGFBP-1 tests is of value for the prediction of outcomes of preterm delivery in twin pregnancies.     

胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-1与宫颈Bishop评分在预测临产时间中的比较

目的:探讨足月妊娠妇女宫颈分泌物中磷酸化胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-1(IGFBP-1)和宫颈Bishop评分预测临产时间的价值.方法:对200例妊娠37～41周、未临产、胎膜完整的孕妇,采用免疫层析法进行宫颈分泌物IGFBP-1测定,比较IGFBP-1和宫颈评分预测72 h内临产的成功性.结果:宫颈Bishop评分≥7分者IGFBP-1阳性率为95.12％,明显高于＜7分者49.69％(P＜0.001).随着宫颈成熟度的增加,IGFBP-1阳性率逐渐升高,IGFBP-1阳性率与宫颈成熟度呈正相关.110例72 h内临产者中IGFBP-1阳性108例(98.18％),IGFBP-1阴性2例(1.82％),90例＞72h临产者中IGFBP-1阳性10例(11.11％),IGFBP-1阴性80例(88.89％),两者差异有显著性(P＜ 0.001).IGFBP-1预测72h内临产的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别是98.18％、88.89％、91.53％、97.56％,而宫颈Bishop评分是31.82％、93.33％、85.37％、52.83％.结论:宫颈分泌物IGFBP-1能反映宫颈成熟度,可作为预测临产时间的一个客观指标.检测IGFBP-1预测临产时间明显优于宫颈评分,其阳性可预测在72 h内临产.     

Sonographic measurement of cervical length in preterm prelabor amniorrhexis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether sonographic measurement of cervical length in pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabor amniorrhexis helps distinguish between those women who deliver within 7 days and those who do not. METHODS: In 101 women with singleton pregnancies presenting with preterm prelabor amniorrhexis at 24-36 (median, 32) weeks of gestation cervical length was measured by transvaginal ultrasound. Exclusion criteria were active labor defined by the presence of cervical dilatation of > or = 3 cm and iatrogenic delivery for fetal or maternal indication when not in active labor. The clinical management was determined by the attending obstetrician. The primary outcome of the study was delivery within 7 days of presentation. RESULTS: Delivery within 7 days of presentation occurred in 58/101 (57%) pregnancies. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that significant independent contribution in the prediction of delivery within 7 days was provided by cervical length (odds ratio (OR) = 0.91, 95% CI 0.86-0.96, P = 0.001), gestation at presentation (OR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.14-1.59, P = 0.001) and presence of contractions at presentation (OR = 3.07, 95% CI 1.05-8.92, P = 0.039) with no significant independent contribution from ethnic origin, maternal age, body mass index, parity, previous history of preterm delivery, cigarette smoking, vaginal bleeding or the administration of tocolytics, antibiotics or steroids. CONCLUSION: In women with preterm prelabor amniorrhexis prediction of delivery within 7 days is provided by cervical length, gestation and presence of contractions at presentation.     

Low serum insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 is associated with an unfavourable cardiovascular risk profile in elderly men

Serum insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) is regulated by insulin and has been suggested to be a marker of the insulin resistance syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum IGFBP-1 is associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Serum insulin-like growth factor-I and IGFBP-3 were also determined. 331 men aged 70-89 years were examined from the Finnish cohort of the Seven Countries Study. Serum IGFBP-1 concentrations were measured by immunofluorometric assay, and the results were analysed with respect to markers of cardiovascular risk, insulin resistance, and insulin secretion that were determined by using the homeostasis model assessment. Fasting serum IGFBP-1 correlated inversely with fasting serum insulin, serum insulin 2 h after oral glucose challenge test, body mass index, and serum triglycerides, and it correlated positively with age and serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. After adjustment for age, fasting serum IGFBP-1 correlated positively with HDL cholesterol and inversely with fasting serum insulin and triglycerides. Serum IGFBP-1 correlated positively with insulin sensitivity and negatively with beta-cell function. In conclusion, low serum IGFBP-1 levels in elderly men are associated with a number of cardiovascular risk factors.     

Sonographic measurement of cervical length in twin pregnancies in threatened preterm labor.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether sonographic measurement of cervical length in twin pregnancies presenting with threatened preterm labor helps distinguish between true and false labor. METHODS: In 87 women with twin pregnancies presenting with regular and painful uterine contractions at 24-36 (median, 30) weeks of gestation, cervical length was measured by transvaginal ultrasound. Women presenting in active labor, defined by the presence of cervical dilation of 3 cm or more, with ruptured membranes and those who underwent a prior or subsequent cervical cerclage, were excluded from the study. The clinical management was determined by the attending obstetrician without taking into account the cervical length. Primary outcome of the study was delivery within 7 days of presentation. RESULTS: Delivery within 7 days of presentation occurred in 19/87 (22%) pregnancies and this was inversely related to cervical length, decreasing from 80% (4/5) at 1-5 mm, to 46% (6/13) at 6-10 mm, 29% (4/14) at 11-15 mm, 21% (4/19) at 16-20 mm, 7% (1/15) at 21-25 mm and 0% (0/21) at >25 mm. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that significant independent contribution in the prediction of delivery within 7 days was provided by cervical length (odds ratio (OR) = 0.78, 95% CI 0.68-0.89, P < 0.001) and use of tocolytics (OR = 0.13, 95% CI 0.02-0.76, P = 0.024), with no significant contribution from gestation at presentation, chorionicity, ethnic origin, maternal age, body mass index, parity, previous history of preterm delivery, cigarette smoking, contraction frequency, vaginal bleeding or the administration of antibiotics or steroids. CONCLUSION: In women with twin pregnancies presenting with threatened preterm labor, sonographic measurement of cervical length helps distinguish between those who deliver within 7 days and those who do not.     

Sonographic measurement of cervical length and fetal fibronectin testing in threatened preterm labor.

OBJECTIVE: In women presenting with threatened preterm labor, both fetal fibronectin and sonographic measurement of cervical length have been shown to distinguish between true and false labor. The aim of this study was to determine whether the combination of both tests provides a better prediction than the individual tests alone. METHODS: We examined 195 women with singleton pregnancies presenting at 24-36 (median 31) weeks of gestation with regular and painful uterine contractions, intact membranes and cervical dilatation of less than 3 cm. On admission to the hospital fetal fibronectin positivity in cervicovaginal secretions was determined and transvaginal sonographic measurement of cervical length was carried out. The results were not made available to the attending obstetrician. The primary outcome measure was delivery within 7 days of presentation. RESULTS: Delivery within 7 days occurred in 51.4% (18 of 35) of those with cervical length below 15 mm and 0.6% (1 of 160) of those with cervical length of 15 mm or more, in 21.2% (18 of 85) of the fibronectin positive group and in 0.9% (1 of 110) of the fibronectin negative group. There was a significant association between cervical length and the incidence of fibronectin positivity (r = -0.921, P = 0.003). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the only significant contributor to the prediction of delivery within 7 days was cervical length, with no significant contribution from fibronectin positivity, ethnic origin, maternal age, gestational age, body mass index, parity, previous history of preterm delivery, cigarette smoking, or use of tocolytics. CONCLUSIONS: In women with threatened preterm labor assessment of fetal fibronectin in cervicovaginal secretions does not improve the prediction of delivery within 7 days provided by the sonographic measurement of cervical length.     

Does transvaginal sonographic measurement of cervical length before 14 weeks predict preterm delivery in high-risk pregnancies?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether high-risk patients manifest cervical length < 25 mm on transvaginal ultrasound before 14 weeks of gestation, and if this finding is predictive of preterm delivery. METHODS: Asymptomatic pregnancies at high risk for preterm birth were followed prospectively from 10 + 0 weeks to 13 + 6 weeks with transvaginal sonographic measurement of the cervix. A cervical length < 25 mm was considered a short cervix at this gestational age and at the follow-up ultrasound examinations, performed between 14 and 24 weeks. The primary outcome was preterm birth at < 35 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-three pregnancies met the study criteria and were included in the analysis. Only 10 (5%) patients had a cervix < 25 mm before 14 weeks. The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of a short cervix were 14%, 97%, 50%, and 82%, respectively (relative risk, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-5.6). The mean transvaginal sonographic cervical length before 14 weeks of gestation was 33.7 +/- 6.9 mm in pregnancies which delivered preterm (n = 36), and 35.0 +/- 6.8 mm in those delivering at term (n = 147) (P = 0.3). Follow-up transvaginal ultrasound examination of the cervix to 24 weeks revealed that the average gestational age at which a short cervix was detected was 18.7 +/- 2.9 weeks. CONCLUSION: A cervical length < 25 mm on transvaginal sonographic assessment rarely occurs before 14 weeks even in high-risk patients destined to deliver preterm; in these patients cervical changes predictive of preterm birth develop mostly after this gestational age.     

Sonographic measurement of cervical length in threatened preterm labor in singleton pregnancies with intact membranes.

OBJECTIVES: To predict when delivery will occur, within 48 h and 7 days of presentation and before 35 weeks' gestation in women presenting with threatened preterm labor. METHODS: Sonographic measurement of cervical length was carried out in 510 women with singleton pregnancies presenting with threatened preterm labor and intact membranes at 24 to 33 + 6 weeks of gestation. The measurement was not taken into account in the subsequent management of the pregnancies. The outcome measures were delivery within 48 h and 7 days of presentation and delivery before 35 weeks. RESULTS: The median gestation at presentation was 30 + 1 (range, 24 to 33 + 6) weeks and the median cervical length was 25 (range, 1-51) mm. Delivery within 48 h of presentation occurred in 21 (4.1%) cases, delivery within 7 days occurred in 43 (8.4%) and delivery before 35 weeks occurred in 76 (14.9%). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the only significant independent predictor of delivery within 48 h was cervical length (odds ratio (OR), 0.73; 95% CI, 0.65-0.81) and for delivery within 7 days the independent predictors were cervical length (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.63-0.76) and vaginal bleeding (OR, 19.42; 95% CI, 3.87-97.4). In the subgroup of women who did not deliver within 7 days of presentation, the incidence of delivery before 35 weeks was 7.1% (33 of 467) and the only significant independent predictor of such delivery was cervical length (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.88-0.96, P < 0.0001). There was no significant independent contribution to any of the outcome measures from ethnic group, maternal age, gestational age, body mass index, parity, cigarette smoking or use of tocolytics. CONCLUSIONS: In women with threatened preterm labor sonographic measurement of cervical length helps to distinguish between true and false labor and to predict early preterm delivery.     

检测宫颈癌患者血清胰岛素样生长因子-Ⅱ浓度的临床意义

目的 探讨血清胰岛素样生长因子-Ⅱ（IGF-Ⅱ）浓度水平与宫颈癌发生、预后及治疗疗效的关系.方法 抽取正常对照组人群（n=12）、宫颈上皮内瘤样病变（CIN）组患者（n=16）治疗前、宫颈癌组患者（n=45）治疗前及宫颈癌组13例治疗后6个月患者与20例宫颈癌治疗后12-18个月患者肘静脉血,共获得106份血清标本,采用ELISA法检测血清IGF-Ⅱ浓度.结果 宫颈癌组患者血清IGF-Ⅱ浓度比CIN组及对照组人群血清IGF-Ⅱ浓度明显升高,具有显著性差异,且宫颈癌患者血清IGF-Ⅱ浓度水平与宫颈癌的临床分期呈正相关,宫颈癌患者治疗后血清IGF-Ⅱ浓度比治疗前明显降低.结论 血清IGF-Ⅱ浓度水平与宫颈癌的发生有关,并且可以用于判断宫颈癌预后及治疗疗效.     

宫颈长度联合胎儿纤维连接蛋白检测对预测早产的临床价值

目的探讨超声宫颈长度(CL)检测联合宫颈分泌物胎儿纤维连接蛋白(fFN)检测在早产预测中的临床价值。方法对2011年1月至2013年1月期间收治的120例先兆早产孕妇分别进行超声CL检测和宫颈分泌物fFN检测,比较两种方式分别单独检测和联合检测预测早产敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值。结果本组120例孕妇中,78例(65.0%)CL30 mm,其中59例(75.6%)发生早产;42例CL≥30 mm,其中13例(30.9%)发生早产。CL30 mm孕妇早产发生率高于CL≥30 mm孕妇(χ2=20.893,P=0.000)。120例早产孕妇CL值为明显低于足月产孕妇(t=5.752,P=0.000)。120例孕妇中fFN(+)89例(74.2%),其中65例(78.0%)发生早产;fFN(-)31例,其中7例(22.6%)发生早产,fFN(+)孕妇早产发生率高于fFN(-)孕妇(χ2=22.329,P=0.000)。所有孕妇中,CL30 mm且fFN(+)共57例,均发生早产。CL、fFN联合检测与二者分别单独检测敏感度差异无统计学意义(与fFN检测比较χ2=3.434,P=0.064),但CL、fFN联合检测特异度和阳性预测值均为100%,分别高于CL检测的60.4%和fFN检测的78.0%(χ2=23.688、18.395,P=0.000、0.000)。结论超声CL测量联合宫颈分泌物fFN检测可提高早产预测的准确率,有利于改善先兆早产孕妇妊娠结局。     

Relationship between leptin, insulin resistance, insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 in patients with chronic kidney disease

This study examined the relationship between leptin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and insulin resistance in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Levels of leptin, insulin, IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and common routine parameters were measured in 45 patients (23 males and 22 females) with CKD and 45 healthy controls matched for age, gender and body mass index. IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels were measured using a two-site immunoradiometric assay. Leptin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A homeostasis model assessment computer-solved model was used to assess insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Levels of serum leptin, insulin, IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and HOMA-IR were significantly increased in patients with CKD compared with healthy subjects, whereas fasting blood glucose was not significantly different between the two groups. In patients with CKD, the serum leptin level was significantly correlated with IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and HOMA-IR. In conclusion, this study suggests that there is an interaction between leptin, IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and insulin resistance in patients with CKD.     

Prediction of patient-specific risk of early preterm delivery using maternal history and sonographic measurement of cervical length: a population-based prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a model for calculating the patient-specific risk of spontaneous early preterm delivery by combining maternal factors and the transvaginal sonographic measurement of cervical length at 22 + 0 to 24 + 6 weeks, and to compare the detection rate of this method to that achieved from screening by cervical length or maternal characteristics alone. METHODS: This was a population-based prospective multicenter study involving 40,995 unselected women with singleton pregnancies attending for routine hospital antenatal care in London, UK. Complete follow-up was obtained from 39,284 (95.8%) cases. The main outcomes were detection rate, false-positive rate and accuracy of predicting spontaneous delivery before 32 weeks' gestation. RESULTS: Spontaneous delivery before 32 weeks occurred in 235 (0.6%) cases. The detection rate of screening for early preterm delivery, at a fixed false-positive rate of 10%, was 38% for maternal factors, 55% for cervical length and 69% for combined testing. There was good agreement between the model estimates and the observed probabilities of preterm delivery. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a model that can give an accurate patient-specific risk of preterm delivery. The detection rate of screening by a combination of maternal factors and the measurement of cervical length was substantially higher than that of screening by each method alone.     

Impaired glucose homeostasis in insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 transgenic mice.

Transgenic mice that overexpressed IGFBP-1 are hyperinsulinemic in the first week of life and gradually develop fasting hyperglycemia. In adult transgenic mice, the hypoglycemic response to IGF-I but not insulin or des (1-3) IGF-I was attenuated (P < 0.05) compared with wild-type mice. Furthermore, in isolated adipocytes from transgenic mice, the stimulatory effect of IGF-I but not insulin on 2-deoxy-[3H]-glucose uptake was reduced (P < 0.02). In contrast, in isolated soleus muscle, the effects of both IGF-I and insulin on 2-deoxy-3H-glucose uptake and on [3H]-glucose incorporation into glycogen were significantly reduced compared to wild-type mice. The decline in specific activity of the 2-deoxy-3H-glucose, a measure of glucose appearance in the circulation, was more marked in transgenic animals (P < 0.05). In addition, tissue uptake of glucose was significantly higher in diaphragm, heart, intestine, liver, soleus muscle, and adipose tissue from fasting transgenic mice. Plasma concentrations of alanine, lysine, and methionine were also elevated in transgenic mice. These data suggest that overexpression of IGFBP-1 attenuates the hypoglycemic effect of endogenous IGF-I, which is initially compensated for by enhanced pancreatic insulin production. However, in adult mice pancreatic insulin content is reduced, insulin resistance is demonstrable in skeletal muscle and fasting hyperglycemia develops.     

超声检测宫颈长度预测早产的临床价值

目的探讨超声检测宫颈长度（cervicallength,CL）对先兆早产孕妇发生早产的预测价值。方法对2147例单胎先兆早产初产孕妇,分别经腹部、经阴道、经会阴超声检测CL,以CL〈2．6cm为宫颈缩短,追踪妊娠结局,比较三种方法对早产的预测价值。结果经腹部超声检测747例,CL〈2．6cm者早产率40．93％,CL≥2．6cm者早产率4．51％;经阴道超声检测689例,CL〈2．6cm者早产率69．85％,CL≥2．6cm者早产率1．45％;经会阴超声检测711例,CL〈2．6cm者早产率61．54％;CL≥2．6cm者早产率1．98％,三种检测方法检测的CL〈2．6cm组与CL≥2．6cm组的早产率差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;经腹部、经阴道、经会阴超声测量预测早产的敏感性分别为78．57％、92．23％、89．72％,特异性分别为80．00％、93．00％、90．07％,阳性预测值分别为40．93％、69．85％、61．54％,阴性预测值分别为95．49％、98．55％、98．02％,经会阴、经阴道超声测量预测早产的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值均显著高于经腹部（P〈0．05）。结论超声检测CL对先兆早产孕妇发生早产有一定的预测意义。经会阴、经阴道超声预测早产的准确性优于经腹部超声。经会阴超声检测可以替代经阴道超声检测,从而提高患者治疗依从性。     

Cervical length in women in preterm labor with intact membranes: relationship to intra-amniotic inflammation/microbial invasion, cervical inflammation and preterm delivery.

OBJECTIVE: Intra-amniotic infection, diagnosed by microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) and/or the presence of intra-amniotic inflammation (IAI), is related to adverse perinatal outcome in women with preterm labor. Due to the subclinical nature of IAI, a correct diagnosis depends on amniocentesis, which is an invasive method not performed as a clinical routine. The aim of this study was to evaluate if cervical length measured by transvaginal sonography could assist in the identification of women at high risk for IAI. METHODS: Cervical length was assessed by transvaginal sonography in 87 women with singleton pregnancies in preterm labor (<34 weeks of gestation). Cervical (n=87) and amniotic (n=55) fluids were collected. Polymerase chain reactions for Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis, and culture for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, were performed. Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: IAI was present in 25/55 (45%) of the patients presenting with preterm labor who underwent amniocentesis. Women with IAI had a significantly shorter cervical length (median, 10 (range, 0-34) mm) than had those without IAI (median, 21 (range, 11-43) mm) (P<0.0001). Receiver-operating characteristics curve analysis showed that a cervical length (cut-off of 15 mm) predicted IAI (relative risk, 3.6; CI, 1.9-10.0) with a sensitivity of 72%, specificity of 83%, positive predictive value of 78% and negative predictive value of 78%. Cervical length was also significantly associated with preterm birth up to 7 days from sampling and at 相似文献   

Ultrasound assessment of cervical length in threatened preterm labor.

OBJECTIVE: More than 70% of women presenting with threatened preterm labor do not progress to active labor and delivery. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that in women with threatened preterm labor, sonographic measurement of cervical length helps distinguish between true and false labor. METHODS: We examined 216 women with singleton pregnancies presenting with regular and painful uterine contractions at 24-36 (mean, 32) weeks of gestation. Women in active labor, defined by the presence of cervical dilatation > or = 3 cm, and those with ruptured membranes were excluded. On admission to the hospital a transvaginal scan was performed to measure the cervical length. The subsequent management was determined by the attending obstetrician. The primary outcome was delivery within 7 days of presentation. RESULTS: In 173 cases the cervical length was > or = 15 mm and only one of these women delivered within 7 days. In the 43 cases with cervical length < 15 mm delivery within 7 days of presentation occurred in 16 (37%) including 6/14 (42%) treated with tocolytics and 10/29 (35%) managed expectantly. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the only significant contributor in the prediction of delivery within 7 days was cervical length < 15 mm (odds ratio = 101, 95% CI 12-800, P < 0.0001) with no significant contribution from ethnic group, maternal age, gestational age, body mass index, parity, previous history of preterm delivery, cigarette smoking, contraction frequency or use of tocolytics. CONCLUSIONS: In women with threatened preterm labor, sonographic measurement of cervical length helps distinguish between true and false labor.     

Dynamic cervical change: is real-time sonographic cervical shortening predictive of preterm delivery in patients with symptoms of preterm labor?

OBJECTIVES: To determine prospectively if dynamic cervical change (spontaneous real-time cervical shortening) is predictive of preterm delivery at < 37 weeks' gestation in patients with symptoms of preterm labor. METHODS: This was a prospective study of patients at 23-34 weeks' gestation who were symptomatic for preterm labor. Patients underwent a 10-min real-time sonographic cervical length assessment with measurements taken at 1-min intervals. The presence or absence of dynamic cervical change, defined as real-time changes in cervical length observable to the naked eye of the sonologist during the examination, was recorded. Gestational age at delivery was obtained from medical records. Preterm delivery was defined as delivery at < 37 weeks' gestation. Dynamic cervical change and initial and minimum cervical lengths were assessed for prediction of preterm delivery. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients were enrolled, and 66 were available for outcome analysis. Thirty-one patients (47%) exhibited dynamic cervical change. Patients with dynamic change had shorter initial cervical lengths (27 mm vs. 36 mm, P = 0.001), shorter minimum cervical lengths (20 vs. 33 mm, P < 0.001) and larger changes in cervical length during the examination period (10 vs. 4 mm, P < 0.001). In the subgroup of patients with an initial cervical length > 30 mm, those with dynamic change delivered earlier than did those without dynamic change (36.8 vs. 38.6 weeks, P = 0.02), and a higher percentage delivered preterm (27% vs. 11%, odds ratio (OR), 3.0 (0.5-17.0)). Multivariate analysis showed that minimum cervical length was a better predictor of preterm delivery than was initial cervical length. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic cervical change occurs frequently in association with shortened cervical length. In patients with longer initial cervical lengths, dynamic change may increase the risk for preterm delivery. When dynamic change is noted in a patient with preterm labor symptoms, use of the minimum cervical length observed may be better compared with initial cervical length for determining preterm delivery risk.