Beschreibung:
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<jats:title>INTRODUCTION:</jats:title>
<jats:p>Mechanisms of mid-trimester cervical shortening (<2.5cm) are unclear, and it is unknown if subclinical uterine activity plays a causative role. The purpose of this study is to characterize uterine bioelectrical activity by uEMG in women with a short cervix in the mid-trimester.</jats:p>
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<jats:title>METHODS:</jats:title>
<jats:p>This is an observational cohort study of pregnant women at an urban academic medical center from November 2017 to June 2018. Women with short cervical length (CL) <2.5 cm were compared to women with normal CL (≥3 cm). Primary outcome was pattern of bioelectrical activity in both groups. Secondary outcomes were characteristics of identified signals. All subjects had a singleton pregnancy between 16w0d and 22w6d. Up to 4 proprietary uEMG electrode pads (PreTel, Inc., Chattanooga, TN), 4 commercially available ECG pads, a ground electrode, and a tocometer were placed on the lower abdomen. EMG recordings were obtained for 60 minutes using a Porti amplifier (TMSi, Oldenzaal, Netherlands) and analyzed between 0.15 and 1.2 Hz.</jats:p>
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<jats:title>RESULTS:</jats:title>
<jats:p>Seven subjects were included, 4 with short CL and 3 with normal CL. Isolated spike and burst signals were identified during recordings. Spikes were observed in both groups, but burst-type signals were observed only in the short CL group. In women with short CL, 3 bursts in 4 subject hours of monitoring were appreciated.</jats:p>
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<jats:title>CONCLUSION:</jats:title>
<jats:p>Burst-type signals in women with a short CL, while infrequent, are a novel finding. Our results need to be replicated in larger studies requiring prolonged subject monitoring (e.g., 10hr/patient). This would necessitate using wearable electrodes to allow for uninterrupted recording during daily activity.</jats:p>
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