title: [Nifedipine first choice in management of threatening preterm labor].
abstract: Preterm birth is the most important cause of perinatal mortality in Europe and North America. Tocolytic agents named beta 2-sympathicomimetics postpone delivery for 24-48 hours, but do not reduce perinatal mortality or morbidity. Calcium antagonists, in particular nifedipine, are more effective tocolytic agents than beta 2-sympathicomimetics in terms of delaying delivery. Meta-analyses have found that calcium antagonists statistically significantly reduced perinatal morbidity and that the number of maternal side effects was statistically significantly lower compared with beta 2-sympathicomimetics. Nifedipine also has the benefit of oral administration, in contrast with beta 2-sympathicomimetics which are administered intravenously. Nifedipine is therefore the first choice in the management of threatening preterm labour.
authors.affiliation: VU Medisch Centrum, afd. Verloskunde en Gynaecologie, Amsterdam. hoog.pap@wxs.nl
authors.forename: D N M
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Papatsonis
authors.forename: C C M
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Timmerman
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Oei
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: van Geijn
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D009543:Nifedipine