Success rate of terbutaline in inhibiting preterm labor for 48 h.

OBJECTIVE

To determine terbutaline success rate in postponing preterm labor for 48 h and to identify factors associated with its efficacy, side effects, maternal and neonatal outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective study analyzing data from pregnant women suffering from preterm labor who had received terbutaline for inhibition of labor from January 2007 to December 2013.

RESULTS

A total of 385 cases were analyzed; there were 321 cases (83.4%) delivered ≥48 h and 64 cases (16.6%) delivered before 48 h. The factors that affect the success rate of terbutaline administration in singleton pregnancy were cervical dilatation (ORs 0.37; 95% CI 0.18-0.79) and cervical effacement (ORs 0.36; 95% CI 0.17-0.75). The most common side effect of terbutaline was tachycardia (95.1%), but there were no serious cardiovascular events and maternal death. Mean neonatal birth weight was 2.294.3 ± 638.4 g. Neonatal complications included respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) 16.2%, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) 1.4%, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) 0.7%, sepsis 5.3%, and neonatal death 0.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

The success rate of terbutaline in treatment of preterm labor was high whereas side effects were tolerable. Neonatal outcome was good. The factors that significantly affect the success rate of terbutaline administration in singleton pregnancy were cervical dilatation and cervical effacement. Thus, terbutaline can be used safely for short-term treatment of preterm labor.