Cervical Incompetence (CI) is a condition in which the cervix of a pregnant woman begins to open (dilate) and thin (efface) before the pregnancy has reached term. "Incompetence" refers to the weakness of the muscle of the cervix, which can not be voluntarily controlled. CI is a cause of miscarriage and preterm birth in the second and third trimesters.
In CI, the cervix dilates and effaces without pain or uterine contractions because of the growing pressure of the pregnant uterus. If these changes are not halted, rupture of the membranes and premature delivery can result.
CI occurs in only 1-2% of all pregnancies, however it is the cause of 20-25% of miscarriages in the second trimester as well as 10% of preterm deliveries.
The goal of intervention is the successful prevention of premature delivery. This allows the fetus time to develop as fully as possible, thus preventing the multitude of complications associated with prematurity.
Treatment consists mainly of a procedure called cerclage, along with bedrest and possibly medications to prevent contractions and premature delivery. Even with cerclage and additional therapies, the risk of preterm birth is high (about 25%).
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Management of cervical cerclage after preterm premature rupture of membranes. Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey. 1999
Can examination of the cervix provide useful information for prediction of cervical incompetence and following preterm labour?. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 1999
Prevention of preterm birth. Baillieres Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 1995
Emergency cerclage: a review. Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey. 1995
Short cervical length by ultrasound and cerclage. Journal of Perinatology. 2000
Amniocentesis for selection before rescue cerclage. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2000
Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction studies in the analysis of medical materials: Gore-Tex versus braided polyester tape for repair of the incompetent cervix. Micron. 2000
Cervical incompetence: elective, emergent, or urgent cerclage. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 1999
Pregnancy outcomes in women treated with elective versus ultrasound-indicated cervical cerclage. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology. 1998
Comparison of elective and empiric cerclage and the role of emergency cerclage. Journal of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. 1998
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
