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Corticosteroids for induction of labour.
J Kavanagh1, A J Kelly, J Thomas
1Clinical Effectiveness Support Unit, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 27 Sussex Place, Regent's Park, London, UK, NW1 4RG. jkavanagh@rcog.org.uk
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|June 19, 2001
Summary
The effectiveness of corticosteroids for labor induction remains uncertain. Due to a lack of clinical trials, this method is not commonly used and further research is likely unwarranted.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Corticosteroids' role in labor induction is unclear, despite animal studies suggesting fetal adrenal gland cortisol secretion initiates labor.
- Glucocorticoid receptors on human amnion suggest potential paracrine and autocrine actions of corticosteroids.
- Intra-amniotic corticosteroid administration has been proposed to promote labor induction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of corticosteroids for third-trimester cervical ripening or labor induction.
- To compare corticosteroid use with other cervical priming or labor induction methods.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of clinical trials comparing corticosteroids with placebo/no treatment or other induction methods.
- Inclusion criteria specified random allocation, adequate concealment, and clinically meaningful outcomes.
- Data extraction followed a two-stage strategy to manage complex trial data.
Main Results:
- No clinical trials met the inclusion criteria for this review.
- Consequently, no results regarding the effectiveness of corticosteroids for labor induction could be presented.
Conclusions:
- The effectiveness of corticosteroids for labor induction is currently uncertain.
- This method of labor induction is not widely employed.
- Further research in this specific area is likely not warranted at this time.