Cervical competence as a continuum: a study of ultrasonographic cervical length and obstetric performance
Article Abstract:
Cervical competence appears to be a continuum that correlates with length of pregnancy. Cervical competence is the ability of the cervix to remain closed until the fetus is fully mature. Cervical incompetence is defined as painless preterm cervical dilation in the absence of contractions. Monthly measurements of cervical length were made via transvaginal ultrasound imaging in 323 pregnant women who had given birth between 16 and 35 weeks gestation in a prior pregnancy due to preterm labor, preterm rupture of membranes, or other spontaneous causes. The shorter the cervix in the current pregnancy, the earlier the preterm birth occurred in the prior pregnancy. This correlation held true for every week between 20 and 30 weeks gestation in the current pregnancy. This suggests that cervical competency plays a role even in cases where preterm delivery is believed due to other factors and that cervical competency relates to length of pregnancy in a continuous fashion.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1995
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Coordinate expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 genes in uterine tissues of endotoxin-treated pregnant mice
Article Abstract:
Prostaglandins generated in response to infection may induce premature birth. Mice injected with bacterial fragments delivered pre-term 85% of the time. These mice showed significant activation of cyclooxygenase-2 genes and nitric oxide synthesis associated with prostaglandin production. Activation was prevented by amino-guanidine, which inhibits nitric oxide synthesis, indicating a pivotal role of nitric oxide in prostaglandin synthesis. No pre-term labor was observed in mice given indomethacin before injection, which blocks the production of prostaglandins.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1997
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