Cervical length screening in women could reduce preterm birth

Washington, February 6 (ANI): Screening women for signs of a shortening cervix could help reduce preterm births, researchers believe.

Experts at Yale School of Medicine also think that using ultrasound to screen low-risk women could improve pregnancy outcomes and is also cost effective.

Erika Werner, clinical instructor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, further found that it also improved quality of life and resulted in fewer neonatal deaths and infants with long-term neurologic disorders.

Werner said: "Since only 10 percent of preterm birth occurs in women with a history of preterm birth, cervical length screening may be the best way to decrease the number of babies born prematurely."

The findings were due to be presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM) in Chicago. (ANI)