Ineffective Cervical Device Fails to Prevent Preterm Birth Risk
A study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that a device called a cervical pessary, used to reduce the risk of preterm birth in women with a short cervix, is no more effective than usual medical care. The multicenter randomized trial enrolled 544 participants at risk for preterm delivery and found no significant difference in the primary outcome (delivery or fetal death before 37 weeks) between the pessary group and the usual care group. However, the pessary group had a higher risk of fetal or newborn death. The study was stopped early due to futility and concerns about the device's safety.