543: Ultrasonic attenuation coefficient of the cervix in women receiving ultrasound indicated cerclage: a pilot study

ObjectiveAlthough risk factors have been extensively studied, methods to identify women who are destined to have preterm birth are unreliable. A non-invasive quantitative measure is needed to detect microscopic changes in advance of symptomatic preterm labor and delivery. Attenuation, the loss of ultrasound signal power with depth as a function of frequency, may serve as a novel way to examine the cervical tissue properties. Our aim was to study...