Ampicillin and metronidazole treatment in preterm labour: A multicentre, randomised controlled trial
Date
1994
Authors
Norman K.
Pattinson R.C.
De Souza J.
De Jong P.
Moller G.
Kirsten G.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Objective: To ascertain whether adjuvant ampicillin and metronidazole given to women in preterm labour with intact membranes would prolong pregnancy and decrease the perinatal mortality and morbidity. Design: A multicentre, prospective, randomised controlled trial. Setting: Three perinatal centres serving an indigent population. Subjects: Eighty-one women in active preterm labour with otherwise uncomplicated singleton pregnancies between 26 and 34 weeks gestation or an ultrasound fetal weight estimate of 800 g to 1500 g. Interventions: The study group received ampicillin and metronidazole for five days. The control group received no antibiotics. In all women contractions were suppressed with hexoprenaline and indomethacin for 24 h, and betamethasone was given for fetal lung maturity. Main outcome measures: Days gained and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Results: The study (n = 43) and control groups (n = 38) were comparable at entry. In those receiving ampicillin and metronidazole the pregnancy was significantly prolonged (median 15 days versus 2.5 days, P = 0.04) with significantly more women still pregnant after seven days (63% versus 37%,P = 0.03, OR 0.34 95% CI 0.13-0.94). Significantly more infants in the control group developed necrotising enterocolitis than in the study group (5 versus 0, P = 0.02). Conclusion: Adjuvant ampicillin and metronidazole in the management of women in preterm labour with intact membranes significantly prolonged the pregnancy and decreased neonatal morbidity.
Description
Keywords
ampicillin, hexoprenaline, indometacin, metronidazole, adult, article, clinical trial, controlled clinical trial, controlled study, drug efficacy, female, human, intravenous drug administration, major clinical study, multicenter study, oral drug administration, pregnancy, premature labor, priority journal, randomized controlled trial, rectal drug administration, Adult, Ampicillin, Birth Weight, Drug Therapy, Combination, Female, Gestational Age, Humans, Metronidazole, Obstetric Labor, Premature, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Outcome, Prospective Studies, Time Factors
Citation
British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
101
5
101
5