Cervical Pessaries May Reduce Risk of Some Preterm Births

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Gabriele Saccone, MD
Department of Neuroscience
Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry
School of Medicine
University of Naples Federico II
Naples, Italy

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: Preterm birth is a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. About 15 million infants were born too soon every year, causing 1.1 million deaths. The cervical pessary is a silicone device that has been studied to prevent preterm birth. However, the efficacy of this device in preventing preterm birth is still subject of debate.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response: We performed a parallel-group randomized clinical trial at a single center at University of Naples Federico II (Italy). The trial showed that the use of a cervical pessary among women with singleton pregnancies and short cervical length reduced the risk of spontaneous preterm birth at less than 34 weeks of gestation, and improved perinatal outcomes.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Response: Cervical pessary is an easy, and non-invasive treatment for preventing spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic singleton gestations with short cervical length.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: Future trials should focus on different women at risk of preterm birth, including symptomatic women, women with arrested preterm labor, women with PPROM, women with cervical length, women with history of preterm birth, and also women with multiple gestations.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Gabriele Saccone, Giuseppe Maria Maruotti, Antonia Giudicepietro, Pasquale Martinelli, . Effect of Cervical Pessary on Spontaneous Preterm Birth in Women With Singleton Pregnancies and Short Cervical LengthA Randomized Clinical TrialJAMA. 2017;318(23):2317–2324. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.18956

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2666505

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions. 

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Last Updated on December 26, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD

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