Preterm delivery after indomethacin. A risk factor for neonatal complications?
OBJECTIVE
To determine if tocolytic therapy with indomethacin is associated with an increased risk of neonatal complications in infants born prior to 32 weeks' gestation.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective matched cohort study of infants born between 24 and 31(6)/7 weeks' gestation. The 62 cases (indomethacin treatment) and the 62 controls were matched by week of gestation, prenatal betamethasone exposure and multifetal gestation.


RESULTS
The mean gestational age of the two groups was 28.5 +/- SD weeks. The median total dose of indomethacin was 425 mg, the median treatment duration was three days, and the median interval from the last dose of indomethacin until delivery was one day. There was no significant difference between the groups in the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosis, sepsis or neonatal death.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of indomethacin for tocolysis was not associated with an increased risk of neonatal complications in infants born between 24 and 31(6)/7 weeks' gestation.
Gardner
M O
MO
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque 87131-5286, USA.
Owen
J
J
Skelly
S
S
Hauth
J C
JC
D015331:Cohort Studies; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology
D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D007213:Indomethacin