Threatened premature labour – Related resources
26.02.2016 • Sonuncu dəyişiklik 20.01.2010
This article is created and updated by the EBMG Editorial Team
Cochrane reviews
There is insufficient evidence of a combination of tocolytic drugs for inhibiting preterm labour .- There is insufficient evidence about hCG in the treatment of threatened miscarriage .
There is insufficient evidence of planned home versus hospital care for preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes (PPROM) prior to 37 weeks' gestation .- Atosiban does not reduce incidence of preterm birth or improve neonatal outcome as compared to placebo or betamimetics .
- There is insufficient evidence about progestational agents for preterm labour .
- Repeat dose(s) of antenatal corticosteroids appear to reduce the neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and other morbidity, however it might reduce birthweight .
- Planned early birth with oxytocin or prostaglandin appears to somewhat reduce the risk of maternal infections without increasing the rate of operative births in prelabour rupture of membranes. Differences between planned and expectant management are, however, small .
- Maintenance therapy with nifedipine appears not to be effective for preterm labor compared with placebo .
- Hydration as a treatment for preterm labour seems to have no effect, although there is no evidence from controlled trials .
Intramuscular progesterone may reduce the risk of preterm birth less than 37 weeks' gestation, and infant birth weight less than 2500 grams. However, there is no evidence on long-term maternal and infant health outcomes, and potential harms raise concern .
- Antenatal magnesium sulphate therapy for women at risk of preterm birth appears to reduce the risk of cerebral palsy in their child .
Antibiotic therapy in preterm rupture of the membranes improves the outcome for both the mother and baby .
Other evidence summaries
- Fetal fibronectin appears to be a moderately effective predictor of preterm delivery among patients with symptoms of preterm labour .
17 alpha-hydroxy caproate (17P) appears to be effective in the prevention of preterm delivery in women with a history of spontaneous preterm delivery .