Nifedipine in the management of preterm labor

January 01, 0001

Nifedipine in the management of preterm labor

These US authors conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to determine the efficacy and safety of nifedipine as a tocolytic agent in women with preterm labor. Twenty-six trials (2179 women) were included.

They found: "Nifedipine was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of delivery within 7 days of initiation of treatment and before 34 weeks' gestation, respiratory distress syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, neonatal jaundice, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit when compared with beta2-adrenergic-receptor agonists. There was no difference between nifedipine and magnesium sulfate in tocolytic efficacy. Nifedipine was associated with significantly fewer maternal adverse events than beta2-adrenergic-receptor agonists and magnesium sulfate. Maintenance nifedipine tocolysis was ineffective in prolonging gestation or improving neonatal outcomes when compared with placebo or no treatment."

The authors concluded: "Nifedipine is superior to beta2-adrenergic- receptor agonists and magnesium sulfate for tocolysis in women with preterm labor."

Nifedipine is also easy to administer.


For the full abstract, click here.

Am J Obstet Gynecol 204(2):134.e1-e20, February 2011 © 2011 to Mosby, Inc.
Nifedipine in the management of preterm labor: a systematic review and metaanalysis. Agustín Conde-Agudelo, Roberto Romero, Juan Pedro Kusanovic.

Category: W. Pregnancy, Childbirth, Family Planning. Keywords: nifedipine, neonatal morbidity, pregnancy, premature birth, preterm birth, tocolysis, uterine contractility, meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Linda French, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 8 March 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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