Placenta previa and the role of tocolytic therapy : study at jordan university hospital

Abstract EN

Objectives : To study the incidence of placenta previa and aspects of its management (tocolytic treatment) at Jordan University Hospital.

Methods: Prospective and retrospective analysis of 115 women with placenta previa who were admitted over a 6-year period.

Fifty-six cases of preterm placenta previa with initial episode of vaginal bleeding were selected.

Thirty-three cases were treated with Ritodrine after documentation of uterine contractions and 23 (control group) were not treated.

Outcome variables were birth weight, interval from admission until delivery, incidence of recurrent bleeding, and need for blood transfusion.

Results : The use of Ritodrine was associated with significant improvement in birth weight (2510 gm v.y.

2210 gm, p<0.04 and interval from bleeding until delivery (39.6 vs.

27.4 days, p<0.02).

There was no statistical difference with regard to the incidence of recurrent bleeding, but there was a trend to postpartum blood transfusion in the treated group.

Conclusion : Use of tocolytic therapy may prolong pregnancy; however, its role in preventing vaginal bleeding needs further exploration.