Table V.
Outcome variables according to the presence or absence of AF ‘sludge’ in asymptomatic patients at risk for spontaneous preterm delivery between 14-24 weeks of gestation
| Outcome variables | No ‘sludge’ (n=122) | ‘sludge’ present (n=52) | p |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cervical length <25 mm | 36.9 (45/122) | 73.1 (38/52) | <0.001 |
| Cervical length <15 mm | 17.2 (21/122) | 48.1 (25/52) | <0.001 |
| Gestational age at delivery (weeks) | 37.9 (35.1 – 39.4) | 26.9 (22.7 – 37.9) | <0.001 |
| Spontaneous preterm delivery(*) | |||
| <28 weeks | 9.4 (9/96) | 54.3 (19/35) | <0.001 |
| <32 weeks | 14.6 (14/96) | 60 (21/35) | <0.001 |
| <35 weeks | 19.8 (19/96) | 65.7 (23/35) | <0.001 |
| Preterm PROM | 13.9 (17/122) | 42.3 (22/52) | <0.001 |
| Gestational age at preterm PROM (weeks) | 30 (27 – 33.6) | 24 (21 – 27.1) | 0.006 |
| Clinical chorioamnionitis | 4.9 (6/122) | 15.4 (8/52) | 0.02 |
| Histologic chorioamnionitis | 30.3 (33/109) | 62.7 (32/51) | <0.001 |
| Funisitis | 17.4 (19/109) | 29.4 (15/51) | NS |
| Admission to NICU | 15.7 (19/121) | 36.5 (19/52) | 0.002 |
| Sepsis or suspected sepsis | 7 (8/115) | 32.4 (12/37) | <0.001 |
| Composite severe neonatal morbidity | 17.4 (20/115) | 51.4 (19/37) | <0.001 |
| Neonatal death | 0.9 (1/115) | 13.2 (5/38) | 0.004 |
Values are expressed as percentage (number) or median (interquartile range).
PROM: prelabor rupture of membranes; NICU: neonatal intensive care unit; NS: not significant.
Patients with indicated preterm delivery were excluded from the analysis of the association between the presence of AF ‘sludge’ and spontaneous preterm delivery.
Composite severe neonatal morbidity was defined as one or more of the following neonatal complications: sepsis or suspected sepsis, use of assisted ventilation due to respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, or necrotizing enterocolitis.