Comparative Study to Assess the Efficacy Between Intramuscular and Vaginal Micronized Progesterone to Prevent Threatened Premature Labour

Abstract

Preterm birth remains a major clinical problem. Prematurity is not only a major cause of perinatal mortality but also leads to greater risk for short and long term complications including disability and impediments in growth and mental development. To compare vaginal with intramuscular progesterone administration to prevent preterm labor and to detect the effect of both on the uterine and foetal circulations. STUDY DESIGN: comparative interventional study. POPULATION: 100 pregnant women attending NRSMCH Kolkata, Obstetrics emergency with threatened preterm labour before 34 weeks of gestation. STUDY PERIOD: one year. METHODS: Gestational age was confirmed clinically and by USG of early weeks of gestation. Efficacy and tolerability of progesterone in two routes i.e., intramuscular and vaginal for prevention of threatened preterm labour were compared. OUTCOME: Ante partum, intrapartum and perinatal outcomes were compared between two groups by statistical analysis of data's using chi-square test and student-t test. CONCLUSION: Vaginal progesterone was as effective as intramuscular progesterone in reducing preterm birth with fewer side effects in favor of vaginal route.

Assessment of efficacy of micronized progesterone by vaginal route for prevention of preterm labour

“…It was observed in the present study that 21(40%) patients had preterm delivery and the mean gestational age at delivery was 35.5±2.5 weeks in the progesterone group. This finding was consistent with the studies of Patra K et al [14] , Wajid R et al [15] and Abdou AM [16] .…”

“…It was observed in the present study that 7(13%) patients had vaginal dryness, 13(25%) patients had constipation, 4(8%) patients had dizziness. This is concordant to the studies of Erny R et al [19] , Patra K et al [14] , Ashoush S et al [12] , Maher MA et al [20] and El-Gharib MN et al [21] . Progesterones may entail many side effects such as mood swings, dyspepsia, headache, constipation, dyspareunia, drowsiness, fatigue, genital itching.…”

“…In our study, 12(23%) neonates had low birth weight (<2.5kg), while 7(13%) neonates were admitted in NICU. This is comparable to the studies of Patra K et al [14] , Ashoush S et al [12] , Choudhary M et al [17] , Khan S et al [18] and Abdou AM, [16] . In our study, the mean birth weight was significantly higher in the progesterone group as compared to the placebo group [2432±50 gm versus 1978±70 gm, p=0.000].…”