Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42323545›Full record

Trial reportBMC pregnancy and childbirth2026

Management of threatened preterm labor based on cervical length: a randomized controlled trial.

Supakorn Chaiyakarn, Puntabut Warintaksa, Pracha Nuntnarumit, Buranee Swatesutipun, Piya Chaemsaithong

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Supakorn Chaiyakarn *Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Tower 1, 4th floor, 270 Rama VI Road, Toong Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
Puntabut Warintaksa *Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Tower 1, 4th floor, 270 Rama VI Road, Toong Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
Pracha NuntnarumitDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
Buranee SwatesutipunDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
Piya ChaemsaithongMaternal-Fetal Medicine Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Tower 1, 4th floor, 270 Rama VI Road, Toong Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand. piya.cha@mahidol.ac.th.

Funding

Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital R1106801007Mahidol University Strategic Research Fund 2025
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundA substantial proportion of women with threatened preterm labor do not deliver imminently, frequently receiving unnecessary tocolytic agents and antenatal corticosteroids. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether the use of cervical length measurement in managing threatened preterm labor can reduce inappropriate treatment.

methodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted involving patients presenting with threatened preterm labor between 24 and 33

resultsOne hundred fifteen patients were identified, and 65 cases were excluded. Among the 50 recruited cases, 26 were randomized to the expectant group and 24 to the treatment group. Expectant management leads to a significant 92% reduction in inappropriate treatment [7.7% vs. 98.5%; RR 0.08; 95% CI: 0.02-0.31]. There were significantly lower rates of maternal tachycardia, hypotension, and hypokalemia, as well as a shorter median maternal stay (p < 0.05 for all) in the expectant group.

conclusionPatients with threatened preterm labor whose cervical length is within 15-30 mm without additional cervical shortening can be safely managed expectantly. This approach reduces maternal side effects and shortens maternal hospital stays.

trial registrationThis study was retrospectively registered at the Thai Clinical Trials Registry (Registration Number: TCTR20250218004) on February 18, 2025 (Date of registration) was conducted and reported in accordance with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) 2010 Statement.

Indexed as

Adrenal Cortex HormonesCervical Length MeasurementCervix UteriObstetric Labor, PrematureTocolytic AgentsWatchful WaitingAdultFemaleHumansPregnancyAdrenal Cortex HormonesTocolytic AgentsAntenatal corticosteroidsCervical lengthExpectant managementPreterm laborThreatened preterm laborTocolysis

Identifiers

PMID42323545
PMCPMC13531936

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.