Relationship of the mass index of the body and the cervical length in II trimestern pregnancy for prediction preterm birth
Objective: to determine the informational significance of the length of the cervix for predicting of premature delivery using ultrasound measurement cervical length at a period of 16-20 weeks, taking into account the body mass index (BMI) of pregnant women. Materials and methods. A survey of 340 pregnant women from 16 to 20 weeks at the age of 20-35 years, with the use of ultrasound measurement of cervical length. The analysis of the relationship of the outcome of childbirth (premature birth or delivery in time) depending on the length of the cervix and BMI in the period from 16 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. Results. Women were divided into 4 groups based on BMI: group 1 (BMI less than 18.5 kg/m<sup>2</sup>), group 2 (BMI from 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m<sup>2</sup>), group 3 (BMI from 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) and group 4 (BMI of 30.0 kg/m<sup>2</sup> and more). The shortest average cervical length (CL) of 27.32 ± 1.97 mm was observed in the group of pregnant women with a BMI of <18.5 kg / m<sup>2</sup> (p < 0.001). In the group of patients in whom preterm birth (PB) started, the average length of the cervix at 16-20 weeks (27.52 ± 3.15 mm) was significantly less than in patients of other groups (p < 0.001). Delayed delivery was significantly more common in patients with an average long cervix of 40.92 ± 2.79 mm (p < 0.001). In the group of women with underweight, there was a high percentage of onset of CL. In women with normal BMI, overweight and obesity, there was no significant difference in the incidence rate of PB (p > 0.05). Overweight and obesity were significantly more likely to be a risk factor for delayed delivery (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Women who are underweight are more susceptible to PB, since they have a short cervix, while women with overweight and obesity tend to be late in childbirth and have an elongated cervix.