Uterocervical Angle versus Cervical Length in the Prediction of Spontaneous Preterm Birth in Symptomatic Singleton Pregnancy

Background:Screening tests for predicting preterm birth, such as measurement of cervical length, uterocervical angle (UCA) have been proposed in response to the significant impact of preterm birth.
Objectives: To compare the uterocervical angle with the cervical length for predicting impending preterm delivery in symptomatic cases.
Patients and methods: A prospective observational investigation carried out on 30 females admitted to hospital with preterm labor during gestational age in between 28+0w and 35+0w of pregnancy at Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Menoufia University Hospital. All patients were subjected to verbal consent, detailed history, examination and investigation then measurement of UCA and CL (cervical length). Management of patients with tocolytic drugs and corticosteroids.
Results: Mean of CL was 3.1, and mean of UCA was 113.65±19.01, Preterm birth occurred in 24/30women. Study revealed no significant difference in age, occupation, medical disorders and the body mass index in women who had PTB. Mean uterocervical angle was significantly higher in those who had preterm birth. However; the cervical length was insignificantly shorter in groups who delivered PTB. The UCA significantly expected the occurrence of preterm birth. The CL had non-significant role in the prediction of preterm birth.
Conclusion: UCA is a sonographic marker for predicting preterm birth in symptomatic cases. A cutoff value of 104.5° was identified as significantly associated with increased PTB risk, potentially guiding early interventions such as progesterone therapy or cervical cerclage.