Uterine Artery Doppler Indices and Uterocervical Angle Measurment in Prediction of Preterm Labor

Role of Uterine Artery Doppler Indices and Sonographic Measurement of Uterocervical Angle in Predicting Preterm Labor

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the role of uterine artery doppler indices and uterocervical angle measurement in prediction of preterm labor .The main question it aims to answer is:

Does combination of both uterine artery doppler indices and uterocervical angle measurement increase sensitivity and specificity for prediction of established preterm labor ? Participants already performing uterine artery doppler as part of their regular antenatal care .measurement of anterior uterocervical angle will be added between 24 to 34 weeks gestation to predict preterm labor in candidates .

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Preterm Labor
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Ultrasound

Detailed Description

In this study the aim is to evaluate the combined predictive value of both uterine artery doppler and uterocervical angle measurement in a prospective cohort study design to predict preterm labor . The abnormal mid-trimester uterine artery resistance, pulsatility index and diastolic notching measured with Doppler sonography is known to be predictive for preeclampsia and, hence, for iatrogenic Preterm labor. It will be measured via trans abdominal approach.

The measurement of UCA in the second trimester of pregnancy is strongly associated with the occurrence of spontaneous Preterm labor and will be measured via transvaginal approach .

Both measurement will be conducted between 24 to 34 weeks gestational .

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 47

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Nourhan M Shalaby, Master; Phone Number: +201060674910; Email: nourashalaby44@gmail.com
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Ahmed M Fathy, MD; Phone Number: +2 0122 1485021

Study Locations

• Egypt
  • Kafr ash Shaykh, Egypt
    • Recruiting
    • Kafr Elsheikh University Hospital
    • Contact: Kafrelshiekh university; Phone Number: +20 47 310 9590; Email: Kfs_info@kfs.edu.eg

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Eligible participants will be recruited among those attending the antenatal clinic or Obstetrics Emergency Unite at Kafrelsheikh University Hospital.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patient who will give verbal & written will informed consent.
2. Pregnant women between 18 and 40 years old of age
3. Singleton pregnancy
4. Gestational age will be confirmed by first trimester ultrasound scan (<14 weeks).
5. Gestational age between 24 and 34 weeks .
6. Threatened preterm labor which is defined as:

Presence of at least one uterine contraction every 10 minutes lasting ≥30 seconds . Cervical dilatation ≤3 cm . Cervical effacement <80%.

Exclusion Criteria:

Obstetric:

1. Ruptured membranes
2. Clinical evidence of Chorioamnionitis.
3. Fetal compromise on evaluation.
4. Severe obstetric complications (e.g., severe Preeclampsia, Eclampsia).
5. Diagnosed intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
6. Congenital fetal anomalies.
7. Multiple pregnancies.
8. Prior cervical surgery (e.g., cone biopsy, cerclage).

Non-Obstetric:

1. Significant maternal medical disorders (e.g., chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, liver dysfunction).
2. Severe non-obstetric complications (e.g., acute abdomen).

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy performance of uterine artery Doppler indices and uterocervical angle assed by ultrasound for prediction of preterm labor	Its hypothesized that: Abnormal uterine artery Doppler indices and an abnormal (acute) uterocervical angle (< 95°) are significant predictors of preterm labor. The combination of these two parameters will enhance the sensitivity and specificity of preterm labor prediction.	From 24 to 34 weeks gestation

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Kafrelsheikh University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 2, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 2, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): January 13, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 18, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 14, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Urogenital Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Obstetric Labor Complications; Pregnancy Complications; Obstetric Labor, Premature; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis; Diagnostic Imaging; Ultrasonography
• Other Study ID Numbers: KFSIRB200-597

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No