Abstract:

Spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) is not only one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality but also has profound negative effects on the development of respiratory, neurological, and other systems. Therefore, establishing timely and effective prediction strategies is crucial. In recent years, with advances in preterm birth prediction research, the limitations of single indicators have become increasingly apparent. The combined application of ultrasound-based cervical assessment and biomarker detection has gained widespread clinical attention. Ultrasonography examination can dynamically reveal changes in cervical structure and function by measuring cervical length and cervical angle, observing the morphology of the internal cervical os, and utilizing elastography to assess cervical stiffness, providing intuitive evidence for identifying high-risk populations. Abnormalities in these structural indicators often precede the onset of clinical symptoms. Meanwhile, biomarkers can reflect underlying pathophysiological changes in the body, such as inflammatory responses and placental dysfunction, which often play key roles in the initiation of preterm birth. However, single modality prediction is often limited. Integrating multimodal data to construct a joint prediction model enables a systematic "structure-function" dual-dimensional assessment, promoting the development of preterm birth prediction toward earlier and more refined approaches. This review summarizes the research progress in combining ultrasound cervical assessment with biomarkers for predicting sPTB, aiming to provide references for clinical preterm birth risk screening and management.

Key words: Premature birth, Forecasting, Ultrasonography, Cervix uteri, Elasticity imaging techniques, Cytokines, Spontaneous preterm birth