Mid-trimester cervical length not associated with HIV status among pregnant women in Botswana.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

HIV-infected women on antiretroviral therapy have a higher risk of preterm birth than HIV-uninfected women in Botswana. To better understand the mechanism for preterm birth among HIV-infected women, we evaluated whether mid-trimester cervical length differed by HIV status as cervical shortening is associated with an increased risk for preterm birth.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study among pregnant women receiving care at the Scottish Livingstone Hospital in Molepolole, Botswana. Consecutive women referred for routine obstetrical ultrasound were consented and enrolled if between 22w0d and 24w6d by ultrasound biometry. Blinded to maternal HIV status, an obstetrician measured transvaginal cervical length using standardized criteria. Cervical length, as w

SUBMITTER: Liff I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7065819 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature