Compare safety and efficacy of intramuscular progesterone versus vaginal progesterone in prevention of preterm labour

Abstract

Currently preterm labour is one of the most challenging problem faced by both obstetricians and perinatologists, this episode in the course of woman’s pregnancy takes a heavy tool for perinatal mortality which accounts for approximately 50-75%. The incidence of preterm labour is estimated to be 5-10% of all pregnancies. It was a prospective randomize control study. All the cases with inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected during the study period. The subjects were randomized into two groups with group A received vaginal micronized progesteron and group B intramuscular 17a hydroxyprogesteron caproate. Total of 100 cases were included in this study. All preterm pregnancy of more than 20 weeks were considered in this study. Initial nefidipine 10 mg, 4 tablets 15 min apart was given for tocolytic activity for 48 hours. Injection bethamethasone 12 mg I.M 2 doses in a duration of 24 hours apart is given for fetal lung maturity. One group will receive weekly intramuscular 17a hydroxyprogesteron (250 mg) injection while other group will receive daily micronized vaginal progesteron suppository (200mg). Subsequently compare the safety and efficacy of intramuscular progesterone versus micronized progesterone as a maintenance therapy in preventing preterm labour and analyse maternal and fetal factors.Subsequently compared the safety and efficacy of intramuscular progesterone versus micronized progesterone as a maintenance therapy in preventing preterm labour.This analysis showed that women who randomized to progesterone prophylaxis had a significantly increase in duration of pregnancy. The mean ± SD of birthweight in Group A and Group B was 2784.2 ± 490.7 gm and 2813.9 ± 363.3 gm respectively which confirmed the positive effects of progesterone on increasing infants’ weights at birth. Authors concluded that progesterone therapy had acceptable efficacy in the prevention of preterm labor in terms of prolongation of delivery and by increasing gestational age at delivery.