Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Abstract

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Preterm labour is a major healthcare problem throughout the world, it is a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality, that is not significantly altered by the current drug therapies, most of which are associated with significant maternal or fetal side effects. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG ) in the treatment of preterm labour. METHODS: Fifty-seven women with preterm labour were enrolled in this clinical trial at Al- Yarmouk Teaching Hospital/ department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology – Baghdad /Iraq during the period from April, 1st 2006 till November, 30th 2006, and were assigned to receive a single intramuscular injection of 5000 units of HCG followed by a drip of 10000 units of HCG in 500 ml 5% dextrose over 6 hours. 30 women continued the study and the mean prolongation of the pregnancy was calculated for all of them. RESULTS: The mean prolongation of pregnancy was 32.97 ± 17.6 days and it was highest among gestational ages of 29-30 weeks ( 43.3± 19.85 days ), with the mean gestational age at birth was 35.7 ± 2.8 weeks. All babies born to these women had weight appropriate for their gestational age at birth with a mean birth weight of 2.7 ± 0.64 kg and 60% of babies weighed > 2.5 Kg at birth. CONCLUSION: It was shown through this trial that human chorionic gonadotropin was effective in exhibiting potent tocolysis and prolonging pregnancy in preterm labour without causing adverse effects to the mothers or their babies. This can make a major contribution to the management of this common obstetrical complication.