Sonographic myometrial thickness measurement as a predictor of latency period in preterm premature rupture of membranes

Abstract

This study is an observational cross-sectional study designed for women admitted to the ward in the Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital between June 2018 and May 2019. This study aims to assess the accuracy of myometrial thickness measurement as a predictor of latency period in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes. A total of 40 pregnant ladies with PROM were included in the study. The mean age of the studied cases was 28.5 years, while mean body mass index was 26.3 kg/m2. All cases were subjected to complete history taking, through physical and obstetric examination, as well as ultrasound examination. Routine laboratory investigations were carried out as well. Anterior myometrial thickness measured by ultrasound had a range of 3.4 – 14 mm (mean 8.2). the mean values of enrollment and delivery gestational ages were 32.7 and 33.1 weeks respectively. The latency period of the study cases ranged between 4 and 171 hours (mean 69.2 hours). Whereas 33 cases of the study cases had a spontaneous delivery (82.5%), the remaining seven cases had induction of labor (17.5%). The majority of our study cases had vaginal delivery (37 cases – 92.5%), while only 3 cases underwent cesarean section (7.5%). When dividing study cases according to latency interval into four groups, there was no statistically significant variable between the four interval groups regarding age, body mass index, parity status, or enrollment gestational age (p > 0.05).