Comparative study between progesterone and ritodrine for maintenance tocolysis in management of preterm labour

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of Ritodrine and Progesterone for maintenance tocolysis after arrested preterm labour for prolongation of pregnancy and prevention of recurrence of preterm labour.Type of the study: Comparative study.Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt. Patients and methods:60 patients attended and admitted from the outpatient clinic of the Obstetric department in Minia University Hospitals with preterm labor symptoms between 28 and 37 weeks gestation which were divided into two groups and assigned for the following drugs:Group A: 30 patients received oral ritodrine (yutopar) Pharco pharmaceuticals. Group B: 30 patients received progesterone vaginal suppository (prontogest 400 IBSA).Results: The present study, showed that there is overall difference between progesterone, and ritodrine, in their efficacy as maintenance tocolysis for prevention of recurrence of preterm labor. As we discuss in our study progesterone has the upper hand on ritodrine in maintenance tocolysis. Conclusion:We would only comment that progesterone looks like a promising drug in this regard and further large studies are required to establish this fact.