Cervical insufficiency: diagnostics and treatment

Katarzyna Milanowska-Koloch
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II Klinika Położnictwa i Ginekologii Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego, Warszawa, Polska

Abstract

WHO reports that every year approximately 15 million children are born prematurely, which makes up 5-18% of all births, depending on a country. The reason for approx. 15% of recurrent miscarriages and premature births is the cervical insufficiency. We define it as painless dilation and effacement of the uterine cervix in the second trimester or early third trimester, which are not accompanied by cramps, vaginal bleeding or rupture of the amniotic sac. The article presents an overview of the methods of diagnostics and cervical insufficiency treatment. The diagnostics mainly involves a maternity interview, gynecological examination and ultrasonography, while the treatment relies on applying the cervical cerclage, pessary or progesterone. Currently, new markers of risk are being looked for a preterm delivery.

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