A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 2 studies with a total of 7163 women. Systematic digital cervical examination vs no examination unless medically indicated showed no difference in preterm birth before 37 weeks 181/3102 vs 170/2968 (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.31; 2 trials, n=6070) The bigger high quality multicentric trial (n=5836) found no significant difference between the two treatment arms for the following outcomes: preterm birth before 34 weeks; preterm, prelabour rupture of membranes; hospital admission before 37 weeks; caesarean section; use of tocolytic drugs; low birthweight; very low birthweight, stillbirth, neonatal death, neonatal intensive care admissions; use of health services.
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