Cervical polyps in early pregnancy are a risk factor for late abortion and spontaneous preterm birth: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To determine the association between cervical polyps in early pregnancy and late abortion and spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB). We also aimed to explore the relationship between cervical polyps and cervical insufficiency in the second trimester.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 2941 singleton pregnant women between January 2010 and December 2015. The frequency of late abortion and SPTB (before 28, 34, or 37 weeks of pregnancy) was compared between the two groups of 142 (4.8%) patients who had cervical polyps early in the pregnancy (P group) and 2799 who did not (non-P group). Multivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors for late abortion and SPTB.

Results: The incidence of late abortion and SPTB was significantly higher in the P group than in the non-P group. Cervical polyps in early pregnancy were selected as independent risk factors for late abortion and SPTB before 28, 34, or 37 weeks of pregnancy. The P group had a significantly higher rate of cases requiring therapeutic cervical cerclage than the non-P group.

Conclusion: Cervical polyps in early pregnancy are risk factors for late abortion and SPTB. They are also associated with the occurrence of cervical insufficiency.