title: A national survey on preterm labor.
abstract: A national survey was conducted to examine the American obstetricians' approach to management of preterm labor. Multiple-choice questionnaires were mailed to all current members of the Society of Perinatal Obstetricians and 750 randomly selected diplomates of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Respondents included 249 members of the Society of Perinatal Obstetricians and 441 fellows of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Analysis of the replies reflects wide variations among American obstetricians' criteria to diagnose preterm labor, choice of tocolytic agent, use of amniocentesis, and use of corticosteroids. Significant differences were found between the two groups in many aspects of diagnosis and management of preterm labor. However, the replies reflect a high degree of awareness of and many instances of first hand experience with severe beta-adrenergic therapy complications, including maternal death. These findings emphasize the need for caution in selection of patients for beta-adrenergic tocolytic therapy and judicious use of these agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga 37403.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Taslimi
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Sibai
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Amon
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Taslimi
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Herrick
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009774:Obstetrics; D010500:Perinatology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000517:prevention & control; D012312:Ritodrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013726:Terbutaline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D012312:Ritodrine; D013726:Terbutaline