New developments in the management of preterm labor.
Current management of preterm labor has not changed the incidence of preterm delivery; therefore, significant research effort has been concentrated on the search for new methods of management. New tocolytics like inhibitors of cyclooxygenase 2 and nitric oxide donors have been tested in animal models and in preliminary clinical trials with promising results. Inhibition of cervical ripening may be one alternative to tocolysis. This new approach has a potential to be a valuable method of management of preterm labor if human studies confirm the promising results reported in animals. Growing evidence suggests that premature delivery may be associated with infection or fetal growth abnormalities, with dire consequences to the fetus. If these associations are to be included in risk and benefit assessment, then inhibition of preterm labor may prove to be detrimental to the fetus.
Bukowski
R
R
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA.
Saade
G R
GR
D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000209:etiology; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000187:drug effects; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D012307:Risk Factors; D015145:Tocolysis
D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D015221:Potassium Channels; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases