Cervical dysplasia in pregnancy: progression versus regression post-partum

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.

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

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%.

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