Vaginal Progesterone Use in Pregnant Women with Short Cervix

Since 2007, evidence has supported the use of vaginal progesterone to reduce the risk for spontaneous preterm birth in pregnant women with a short cervix. These researchers performed a meta-analysis using individual patient data from five randomized, placebo-controlled trials in asymptomatic women with a sonographically identified short cervix (≤25 mm) in the second trimester. The primary outcome was preterm birth (<33 weeks' gestation). Secondary outcomes included preterm birth at other gestational ages, as well as indicators of perinatal and neonatal morbidity.

Data for 775 pregnant women and 827 fetuses met the inclusion criteria. Treatment with vaginal progesterone was associated with a significant 42% reduction in risk for preterm birth…