Acute tocolysis for fetal distress: terbutaline versus magnesium sulphate.

Abstract

Forty-six women in active labour who developed fetal distress requiring abdominal delivery were randomized to receive 0.25 mg of terbutaline (subcutaneously) or magnesium sulphate as a 4-g bolus (intravenously) to decrease uterine activity. The terbutaline-treated group in contrast to the magnesium sulphate-treated group had reduced uterine activity as measured by Montevideo units (p < 0.002). This decrease in uterine activity was noted more rapidly in all 23 patients who received terbutaline, 1.8 +/- 0.74 minutes compared to 7.5 +/- 2.1 minutes in the 16 of 23 patients (magnesium sulphate-treated women) in whom a decrease in uterine activity occurred (p < 0.001). Umbilical cord arterial blood pH at delivery was less than 7.20 in only 2 of the 23 patients treated with terbutaline versus 7 of the 23 in the magnesium sulphate-treated group. We conclude that terbutaline is an effective and more rapid-acting tocolytic agent to arrest uterine activity prior to delivery for fetal distress.

• Authors: E F Magann, R S Cleveland, J R Dockery, S P Chauhan, J N Martin Jr, J C Morrison
• Journal: The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology (Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol) Vol. 33 Issue 4 Pg. 362-4 (Nov 1993) ISSN: 0004-8666 [Print] Australia
• PMID: 8179541 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Magnesium Sulfate
• Terbutaline

Topics

• Adult
• Cesarean Section
• Chi-Square Distribution
• Female
• Fetal Distress
• Humans
• Magnesium Sulfate (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Pregnancy
• Prospective Studies
• Terbutaline (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Tocolysis