Outcome of very-low-birth-weight infants exposed to beta-sympathomimetics in utero

Article Abstract:

Beta-sympathomimetic drugs, also called beta-agonists, are commonly used to prevent premature labor. In the US, ritodrine and terbutaline (also called tocolytic agents) are the most popular drugs used for this purpose. Recently, a beta-sympathomimetic drug called isoxsuprine was removed from the market because it produced undesirable side effects. To determine if treating pregnant women with beta-sympathomimetic drugs is harmful to infants with low birth weights (less than 3.3 pounds), 331 infants were studied. Two-hundred and one of the infants were born to mothers that had been treated with either isoxsuprine (33), ritodrine (70), terbutaline (43), or a combination of these drugs (55). One-hundred and thirty infants of similar birth weight who were born to mothers that had not received any of these drugs during pregnancy were included for comparison (controls). There were no differences in the growth and development of the infants who were exposed to these drugs while in the uterus compared with the controls. Mortality appeared to be lower among the infants born to mothers who had been treated with ritodrine or terbutaline than those born to mothers who had not been treated. However, it is not certain whether the lower mortality is related to the drug treatment. Further studies will be needed to verify these findings. The results of this study indicate that treatment with ritodrine or terbutaline does not appear to have any adverse effects on infants with low-birth-weight. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Prevention, Complications and side effects, Tocolytic agents, Adrenergic beta agonists, Adrenergic beta-agonists, Ritodrine, Terbutaline, Isoxsuprine

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Nifedipine pharmacokinetics during preterm labor tocolysis

Article Abstract:

Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker, a drug which prevents calcium from entering cells. It tends to relax all smooth muscles including the smooth muscle of the uterus. The drug ritodrine is currently the only medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of early labor. However, ritodrine has many side effects. The use of nifedipine was studied in 13 women for the treatment of preterm labor. The level of the drug in the mother and the transfer of the drug to the fetus was measured. Mothers were given either oral or sublingual (under the tongue) nifedipine during labor. Nifedipine was measured in the blood of mothers and infants after delivery. Measurements of the drug in maternal blood varied substantially. Nifedipine could not be detected in six out of 11 newborns, but the level of nifedipine in the remaining five newborns varied. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Maternal-fetal exchange, Physiological aspects, Nifedipine

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