The impact of acute tocolysis on neonatal outcome in women hospitalized with preterm labor at 32 to 34 weeks' gestation.
We compared neonatal outcomes from singleton pregnancies in women hospitalized with preterm labor (PTL) at 32 0/7 to 34 6/7 weeks managed with and without acute tocolysis. Women enrolled for outpatient surveillance who were hospitalized and diagnosed with PTL between 32 0/7; to 34 6/7 weeks' gestation without conditions necessitating interventional delivery during hospitalization were identified ( N = 2921). Patients with contraindications to pregnancy prolongation were excluded ( N = 168). Data were compared between patients whose clinical management included tocolysis ( N = 2342) and patients in whom tocolysis was not utilized ( N = 411). The incidence of preterm birth (77.9% versus 48.1%), low birth weight (48.9% versus 16.7%), neonatal intensive care unit admission (41.4% versus 16.2%), and nursery length of stay > 7 days (28.0% versus 9.7%) were all higher in women not receiving acute tocolysis compared with the acute tocolysis group (all P < 0.001). Using acute tocolysis to prolong pregnancy in patients hospitalized with PTL at 32 0/7 to 34 6/7 weeks' gestation is associated with improved neonatal outcomes.
Phoenix Perinatal Associates, Good Samaritan Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona 85006, USA. john_elliott@obstetrix.com.
John P
JP
Elliott
Niki B
NB
Istwan
Debbie J
DJ
Rhea
Cheryl N
CN
Desch
Gary J
GJ
Stanziano
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D015145:Tocolysis