[Expectant treatment of placenta previa with ritodrine]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of the expectant treatment in placenta previa with adrenergic agonist ritodrine.

Methods: 50 women with placenta previa of preterm labor were randomly assigned into two groups. 26 patients treated with magnesium sulfate were served as control group. 24 patients were enrolled in the study group, receiving ritodrine 100 mg in 5% glucose 500 ml intravenous. The drip speed was started at 8 drips per minute routinely, then adjusted according to the treatment response, and oral ritodrine was used after vaginal bleeding and uterine contraction disappeared 12 hours. If contraction reappeared, the i.v. infusion would be restarted.

Results: The study group prolonged the gestational period to an average of 28.24 days and increased the birth weight of newborn to an average of 2,913.68 g (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Ritodrine is highly effective and safe for expectant treatment of placenta previa.