title: A randomized trial of ritodrine tocolysis versus expectant management in patients with premature rupture of membranes at 25 to 30 weeks of gestation.
abstract: Expectant management was compared with similar management plus ritodrine tocolysis in a randomized controlled trial in patients with premature rupture of membranes at 25 to 30 weeks of gestation. In the tocolysis group intravenously administered ritodrine was instituted at the onset of labor and then changed to the oral form if successful. Tocolysis was discontinued or not instituted after 31 weeks of gestation. Seventy-nine patients were randomized over a 4-year period, 39 in the tocolysis group and 40 in the expectant group. Twenty-three patients in the tocolysis group actually received ritodrine. No difference between the two groups was demonstrated in the interval between premature rupture of membranes and delivery or in reaching 32 weeks of gestation. No statistical difference was seen in maternal morbidity. Birth weights and gestational ages at delivery were similar between the two groups as were the incidences of neonatal morbidities caused by prematurity and infection and in the duration of neonatal hospital stays. Despite being conducted in those gestational ages in which prolongation of pregnancy might be expected to be of most benefit, no difference could be demonstrated with the addition of tocolytic therapy over expectant management alone.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Garite
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Keegan
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Nageotte
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011897:Random Allocation; D012312:Ritodrine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D012312:Ritodrine