open access

Vol 93, No 10 (2022)
Research paper
Published online: 2022-03-03
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The use of calcium channel blockers as tocolytics may adversely affect pregnancy outcomes: a randomized clinical trial

Aysun Tekeli Taskomur1, Ozlem Erten2
·
Pubmed: 35315017
·
Ginekol Pol 2022;93(10):820-826.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amasya University, School of Medicine, Amasya, Turkey
  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kutahya Health Sciences University, Kutahya, Turkey

open access

Vol 93, No 10 (2022)
ORIGINAL PAPERS Obstetrics
Published online: 2022-03-03

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effect of calcium channel blockers in tocolytic therapy on obstetric outcomes.
Material and methods: For our study, as a retrospective case control study, data were obtained from hospital records. During 2018, there were 65 patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of preterm labor and were treated with calcium channel blockers used as tocolytics (nifedipine, nicardipine) and these patients constituted the study group. Pregnant women with systemic disease were excluded from the total of 1552 patients who were followed and who gave birth in 2018. After exclusion to equalize the samples, we chose 65 healthy pregnant women from the remaining 646 healthy pregnancies using a simple random number table and these patients formed the control group. The obstetric and neonatal results of both groups were compared.
Results: There was no difference between the groups in terms of birth week, preterm labor rate, low birth weight, and delivery type. While birth weights were significantly lower, the need for neonatal intensive care and the number of infants weighing 2500–3000 g were higher in the study group (p < 0.05). When the results of pregnancies that gave birth at term weeks and were not administered steroids were compared, the birth weight was lower and the number of infants weighing 2500–3000 g was higher in the study group.
Conclusion: The use of calcium channel blockers in pregnancy may adversely affect birth weight gain and the need for intensive care.

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effect of calcium channel blockers in tocolytic therapy on obstetric outcomes.
Material and methods: For our study, as a retrospective case control study, data were obtained from hospital records. During 2018, there were 65 patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of preterm labor and were treated with calcium channel blockers used as tocolytics (nifedipine, nicardipine) and these patients constituted the study group. Pregnant women with systemic disease were excluded from the total of 1552 patients who were followed and who gave birth in 2018. After exclusion to equalize the samples, we chose 65 healthy pregnant women from the remaining 646 healthy pregnancies using a simple random number table and these patients formed the control group. The obstetric and neonatal results of both groups were compared.
Results: There was no difference between the groups in terms of birth week, preterm labor rate, low birth weight, and delivery type. While birth weights were significantly lower, the need for neonatal intensive care and the number of infants weighing 2500–3000 g were higher in the study group (p < 0.05). When the results of pregnancies that gave birth at term weeks and were not administered steroids were compared, the birth weight was lower and the number of infants weighing 2500–3000 g was higher in the study group.
Conclusion: The use of calcium channel blockers in pregnancy may adversely affect birth weight gain and the need for intensive care.

Get Citation

Keywords

preterm labor; low birth weight; calcium channel blocker, obstetric-neonatal outcomes

About this article
Title

The use of calcium channel blockers as tocolytics may adversely affect pregnancy outcomes: a randomized clinical trial

Journal

Ginekologia Polska

Issue

Vol 93, No 10 (2022)

Article type

Research paper

Pages

820-826

Published online

2022-03-03

Page views

4166

Article views/downloads

929

DOI

10.5603/GP.a2021.0231

Pubmed

35315017

Bibliographic record

Ginekol Pol 2022;93(10):820-826.

Keywords

preterm labor
low birth weight
calcium channel blocker
obstetric-neonatal outcomes

Authors

Aysun Tekeli Taskomur
Ozlem Erten

References (32)
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