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.
How
Helen Y
HY
Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Zafaranchi
Leila
L
Stella
Caroline L
CL
Recht
Katherine
K
Maxwell
Rose A
RA
Sibai
Baha M
BM
Spinnato
Joseph A
JA
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