The influence of antibiotic treatment on tocolysis in threatened advanced pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine: a) to what extent application of antibiotics enhances efficiency of tocolysis; b) whether the duration of antibiotic treatment influences its efficacy; c) what criterion is decisive for efficacy of tocolysis assisted by antibiotic therapy.


METHODS
223 successive women with unifetal pregnancies, aged 17 to 42 (average age 27.3), admitted to the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the JU Medical College in the period from January 1, 1999 to September 9, 2001, were enrolled in the study. Using clinical methods such as: assessment of contractile activity of the uterus, of uterine cervix and membranes, presence of bleeding and other clinical symptoms, these women were diagnosed with imminent preterm labour.


CONCLUSIONS
Antibiotic treatment enhances the efficacy of tocolysis, influencing the time of prolonging pregnancy in imminent preterm delivery. This synergistic effect is clinically crucial as in this way significantly larger number of children will be born at term and also a number of premature neonates who survive may be increased.
Bobrzynska
Monika
M
Department of Septic Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland. monikabobrzynska@wp.pl
Reron
Alfred
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D015145:Tocolysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents