Uterine Cervical Length Measurement to Reduce Length of Stay in Patients Admitted for Threatened Preterm Labor: A Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE

To study whether knowledge of cervical length (CL) is useful in reducing the length of hospital stay in women admitted because of threatened preterm labor.

METHODS

We performed a single-center, parallel, randomized trial at the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona. Inclusion criteria were single pregnancy, gestational age (GA) between 24+0 and 35+6 weeks, Bishop score <6, no parturition within 24-48 h after admission, and no clinical signs of chorioamnionitis, vaginal bleeding, or nonreassuring fetal status. CL measurement was performed 24-48 h after admission. In the control group, the patient and the physician in charge were blinded. In the study group, this information was given; if CL was >25 mm, early discharge within 12-24 h from randomization was recommended. Length of hospital stay was the main outcome.

RESULTS

After randomization, 149 patients had complete follow-up (control group, n = 74; study group, n = 75). The mean (SD) length of stay was significantly shorter - 3.0 (2.2) vs. 4.0 (2.0) days (p = 0.004) - in the study group, with a higher proportion of women remaining hospitalized ≤3 days (relative risk [95% confidence interval] 0.43 [0.26-0.70]), with no differences in GA at delivery or preterm birth rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge of CL in women admitted because of threatened preterm labor is useful in reducing length of stay, with no impact on GA at delivery or preterm birth rate.