Cervical dysplasia in pregnancy: progression versus regression post-partum

Int J Fertil Womens Med. 2001 Sep-Oct;46(5):278-80.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the natural history of cervical dysplasia during pregnancy and determine the rates for progression or regression post-partum by the severity of the lesion.

Method: This was a retrospective study of 100 patients screened by PAP smear. Lesions were graded by colposcopy and biopsy, and followed post-partum.

Results: Lesions were graded as ASCUS, LGSIL, and HGSIL. The majority of lesions showed a tendency to regress post-partum (approximately 64%), a trend that was statistically significant (P < .003). A substantial minority (approximately 34%) showed no change in severity of the lesion. The tendency for lesions to progress in severity was very low (approximately 3%). No patient had microinvasive disease. Of patients who had CIS, persistence of this lesion post-partum was present in 67%.

Conclusion: Patients with cervical dysplasia in pregnancy may be followed conservatively with colposcopy and biopsy.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Colposcopy
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Papanicolaou Test
  • Postpartum Period*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / pathology*
  • Remission, Spontaneous
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / pathology*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Vaginal Smears