MCQ Obstetrics Answer 17

The Correct Answer is D


In women with premature labor, beta-adrenergic agonists have been clearly shown to reduce the incidence of delivery within 24 and 48 hours of administration. These tocolytic agents have not been shown to consistently reduce the rates of preterm delivery, low birth weight, severe respiratory distress, or perinatal death. A statistically non-significant trend toward reduced perinatal mortality has been suggested in women given beta-adrenergic agonists earlier in pregnancy, for preterm labor before 28 weeks gestation. It appears that more effective use of the 24-48 hours gained by tocolysis with beta-adrenergic agonists holds promise for reducing perinatal morbidity and mortality, perhaps through more liberal use of predelivery glucocorticoid therapy.


Ref: The Canadian Preterm Labor Investigators Group. Treatment of preterm labor with the beta-adrenergic agonist ritodrine. N Engl J Med 1992; 327(5): 308-312. 2) Cunningham FG, MacDonald PC, Gant NF, et al: Williams Obstetrics, ed 20. Appleton & Lange, 1997, pp 817-818.

Category: Obstetrics MCQs