Tocolysis in women with preterm labor between 32 0/7 and 34 6/7 weeks of gestation: a randomized controlled pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether intravenous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) followed by oral nifidepine tocolysis in women with preterm labor between 32 0/7 and 34 6/7 weeks' gestation reduces neonatal hospital stay.


METHODS
Fifty-four women between 32 0/7 and 34 6/7 weeks with preterm labor were randomized to receive either MgSO4 and oral nifidepine (n = 24) or no tocolysis (n = 30). All women received betamethasone and prophylactic antibiotics. The primary outcome was total neonatal hospital stay. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and Mann Whitney U test.


RESULTS
The 2 groups had similar mean cervical dilation and gestational age at enrollment. There were no statistically significant differences in total neonatal hospital stay (5.8 +/- 7.2 days; median of 3 days in the no tocolysis vs. 7.5 +/- 8.6 days; median of 3 days in the tocolysis group), rate of preterm delivery (57% vs. 75%) or need for oxygen supplementation (7% vs. 21%, p < 0.23). The neonatal complications were similar in each group.


CONCLUSIONS
Tocolysis after 32 weeks gestation does not reduce neonatal hospital stay.
Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Helen Y
HY
How
Leila
L
Zafaranchi
Caroline L
CL
Stella
Katherine
K
Recht
Rose A
RA
Maxwell
Baha M
BM
Sibai
Joseph A
JA
Spinnato
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007902:Length of Stay; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D015145:Tocolysis; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D009543:Nifedipine