TITLE:
The Effect of Oral Nifedipine versus Parenteral Magnesium Sulfate and Ritodrine for Tocolysis in Patients with Threatened Preterm Labor: A Randomized Controlled Trial
AUTHORS:
Safwat A. Salman, Dina Habib, Mohamed Atef, Ahmed M. Abbas
KEYWORDS:
Tocolysis, Preterm Labour, Nifedipine, Ritodrine
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.9 No.8,
August
13,
2019
ABSTRACT: Background: Preterm labor is a serious cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality.
This study aims to compare the effects of nifedipine, Magnesium sulfate and
ritodrine as tocolytic drugs in patients presented with threatened preterm labor. Patients and Methods: The current study was randomized controlled trial conducted in Sohag
Teaching Hospital between November 2015 and September 2016. Patients were
divided into: Group A: 101 patients received intravenous ritodrine infusion; Group
B: 101 patients received intravenous magnesium sulfate; Group
C: 101 patients received oral nifedipine. Different maternal and neonatal
outcomes were assessed. Results: The baseline criteria were homogenous among the study groups with no
statistically significant differences. There is no difference between each other group regarding the need for additional
tocolysis or the rate of recurrence of labour pains. Nifedipine was associated
with the least length of hospital stay. There is no difference between all groups regarding the rate
of preterm delivery before full steroid dose (p > 0.05). However, nifedipine group was the least one in the rate of
occurrence of preterm delivery within 7 days from initiation of tocolytic
therapy. Similarly, nifedipine group was associated with higher gestational age
at delivery and significant prolongation of pregnancy than the other groups. Conclusion: Oral nifedipine use was associated with less recurrence of labor pains,
less need for additional tocolysis, less duration of hospital stay, and more
patient satisfaction in patients with threatened preterm labour.