Gestational age at initiation of 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) and recurrent preterm delivery.
OBJECTIVE
To compare rates of recurrent preterm birth between women starting treatment with 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) at 16-20.9 weeks of gestation versus 21-26.9 weeks.


METHODS
Women enrolled in an outpatient program of education, nursing assessment and weekly 17P injections beginning at 16-26.9 weeks were eligible. Included were patients with singleton pregnancies and a history of preterm delivery (PTD). Pregnancy outcome was compared between women starting 17P at 16-20.9 weeks (n=156) and those starting 17P at 21-26.9 weeks (n=119) using Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney U test statistics (p<0.05 considered significant).


RESULTS
Mean gestational age at delivery (36.8 +/- 3.0 vs. 36.7 +/- 2.5) and rates of PTD at <37 weeks (40.4% vs. 48.7%), <35 weeks (16.7% vs. 16.8%) and <32 weeks (5.1% vs. 5.0%) were similar between the groups; all p > 0.05.


CONCLUSIONS
Rates of preterm delivery were similar in patients initiating 17P at 16-20.9 or 21-26.9 weeks. A larger sample size is warranted in order to confirm our findings.
González-Quintero
Víctor Hugo
VH
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33101, USA. vhgonzalez@med.miami.edu
Istwan
Niki B
NB
Rhea
Debbie J
DJ
Smarkusky
Loren
L
Hoffman
M Camille
MC
Stanziano
Gary J
GJ
D000077713:17 alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate; D000328:Adult; D023802:Cerclage, Cervical; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000517:prevention & control*; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention
D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D000077713:17 alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate