Comparative study of Arabian Cerclage Pessary and Mcdonald stich regarding fetal outcome in Preterm Labour.

Abstract

Objective: To assess fetal outcomes in the form of mean birth weight and admission of infants to neonatal intensive care unit against women with threatened preterm labour treated with Arabin cervical pessary and McDonald cervical stitch. Study Design: Randomized Controlled study. Setting: Department of Gynecology, Aziz Fatimah Hospital, Faisalabad. Period: Dec 2025 to May 2026. Methods: One hundred and eighty two (182) pregnant women aged between 18 and 35 years and with singleton pregnancy score with cervical length less than 25mm on transvaginal ultrasound were the participants. Patients with a cervical dilatation of 4 cm and above, cervicofetal or fetal conditions, proven premature labour, torn membranes, liquor drainage, or infection were ruled out. The sample was divide into two groups (1:1 ratio). Group A consisted of 91 patients who were treated with the use of Arabin cervical pessary and Group B consisted of 91 patients treated with the use of McDonald cervical stitch. The patients were also followed up to delivery. The birth weight and admission of the child to the NICU (12 hours of birth) were captured. The SPSS version 25 was used to analyze the data. Results: Group A had a mean age of 27.42 + 4.36 years, whereas Group B had a mean age of 27.91 + 4.21years high and significant difference was found in the mean birth weight between the three groups, 2.74 + 0.89kg in Group A and 2.31 + 0.81kg in Group B with p=0.001. Group A had much lower rates of admission to NICU compared to Group B, 28 (30.8%) and 48 (52.7), respectively, with a p=0.003. Conclusion: Arabin cervical pessary did not have any difference in mean birth weight or NICU admission relative to McDonald cervical stitch in pregnant women with threatened preterm labour and short neck.