Continuous subcutaneous terbutaline administration prolongs pregnancy after recurrent preterm labor.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

This study was undertaken to study the effectiveness of continuous subcutaneous terbutaline (SQT) in the home after recurrent preterm labor (RPTL).

STUDY DESIGN:

Women with RPTL at less than 32 weeks' gestation were treated with continuous SQT administered in the home compared with matched control patients.

RESULTS:

Fifteen SQT patients were compared with 45 women (3:1) treated with no tocolytic therapy after hospitalization. Gestational age at delivery more than 37 weeks (53% vs 4%), percentage delivered at less than 32 weeks (0% vs 47%), overall and pregnancy prolongation (49.8 +/- 19.2 days vs 24.5 +/- 12.8 days) were all significantly better in the study group (P <.001). The total number of maternal hospital days (9.8 +/- 2.1 vs 15.9 +/- 7.4, P <.0001), duration of NICU stay (1.9 +/- 4.9 vs 19.8 +/- 29.3 days, P <.001), and total cost for newborn care (6,995 +/- 14,822 US dollars vs 62,033 +/- 89,978 US dollars, P <.002) favored the study patients. For every dollar spent on SQT, there was a savings of 4.67 US dollars in newborn hospital costs for control patients.

CONCLUSION:

In this small study, the use of SQT significantly prolongs pregnancy, decreases serious neonatal complications, and reduces the duration of hospitalization for both mother and infant, as well as neonatal costs.

• Authors: John C Morrison, Suneet P Chauhan, C Shannon Carroll Sr, James A Bofill, Everett F Magann
• Journal: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology (Am J Obstet Gynecol) Vol. 188 Issue 6 Pg. 1460-5; discussion 1465-7 (Jun 2003) ISSN: 0002-9378 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12824979 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Tocolytic Agents
• Terbutaline

Topics

• Adult
• Australia
• Cohort Studies
• Female
• Home Infusion Therapy (economics)
• Hospital Costs
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Infusion Pumps
• Injections, Subcutaneous
• Intensive Care, Neonatal (economics)
• Length of Stay
• Obstetric Labor, Premature (economics, prevention & control)
• Pregnancy
• Recurrence
• Terbutaline (administration & dosage, economics)
• Tocolytic Agents (administration & dosage, economics)