[Long-term tococlysis with beta-2-mimetics--a retrospective analysis from one centre].
BACKGROUND
According to current recommendations tocolysis for more than 48 h is only indicated in selected cases. The aim of this study was to analyse the relevance of long-term tocolysis with beta-2-mimetics (Fenoterol) at a single centre over a period of three years.


METHODS
Tocolysis was performed in the case of isolated preterm contractions in 39 cases (56.5%) and in case of premature rupture of membranes in 30 cases (43.5%).


RESULTS
34 cases of tocolysis (49.3%) were started at <30+0 weeks of gestation. The duration of tocolysis was <48 h in nine cases (13%), 48 h 12 cases (17.4%), 3-7 days 20 cases (29%) and >7 days 28 cases (40.6%). Neonatal complications occurred less with increasing gestational age: for <28+0 weeks six of seven infants (85.7%), for 28+0 to 29+6 weeks six of 12 infants (50%), and for 30+0 to 33+6 weeks three of 42 infants (7.1%) suffered from complications. At this single centre long-term tocolysis was performed in 18 cases (26.1%) for <28+0 and in 29 cases (42%) for <32+0 weeks of gestation.


CONCLUSIONS
The poor prognosis of extremely preterm infants improves rapidly with increasing gestational age, therefore long-term tocolysis should be considered as a therapeutic option in the case of an imminent birth.
Stein
W
W
Zentrum für Frauenheilkunde der Georg-August-Universität Göttingen. werner.stein@med.unigoettingen.de
Jahns
B
B
Hawighorst
T
T
Emons
G
G
D001034:Apgar Score; D001724:Birth Weight; D002585:Cesarean Section; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005280:Fenoterol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000628:therapy*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008134:Long-Term Care; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015145:Tocolysis / Q000379:methods*; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D005280:Fenoterol