Efficacy of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate in prevention of preterm delivery

Abstract

Aim: Preterm delivery is defined as a birth before 37 weeks' gestation and is the cause of two-thirds of perinatal mortality and thus one of the major problems in obstetrics. Its etiology is unknown, but hormonal factors have been reported to play a part. Progesterone is a placental hormone and effective in maintaining pregnancy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate in the prevention of preterm delivery.

Methods: This interventional study was performed with 100 pregnant women who had been referred to the Obstetrics Clinic of Ghaem Hospital (related to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences) during 2007 to 2008. They were randomly divided into two groups of 50 cases and 50 controls. The case group received 250 mg of intramuscular 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate weekly from 16 weeks' gestation up to a maximum of 37 weeks' gestation. In the control group, routine perinatal care was performed and the pregnancy outcomes were compared in both groups.

Results: The mean gestational age was 36 weeks in the case group and 34 weeks in the control group. The mean birth weight was 2695 g in the case group and 2399 g in the control group. A significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of gestational age and birth weight (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Weekly administration of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate to pregnant women with a history of preterm delivery was associated with a decrease in preterm delivery and improvement in birth weight.