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A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
14:43

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

Published on: January 12, 2018

Progesterone for preterm birth prevention: an evolving intervention

Alan Thevenet N Tita1, Dwight J Rouse

  • 1Center for Women's Reproductive Health, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|March 4, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Progesterone effectively reduces recurrent preterm birth (PTB) in women with a history of spontaneous PTB. Further research is needed to determine optimal use and benefits in other scenarios.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Preterm birth (PTB) remains a significant challenge in maternal and infant health.
  • Progesterone is being investigated for its potential role in preventing PTB.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review emerging data on the efficacy of progesterone in preventing preterm birth.
  • To focus on pharmacologic aspects and risk factor-specific outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • PubMed database search for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses from January 1, 2000, onwards.
  • Review of 238 abstracts, supplemented by bibliographic searches, focusing on 17 relevant reports.

Main Results:

  • Synthetic intramuscular 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone effectively reduces recurrent PTB in women with a history of spontaneous PTB.
  • Vaginally administered natural progesterone showed potential in reducing early PTB in women with a foreshortened cervix.
  • Evidence is inconclusive regarding progesterone's benefits in arrested preterm labor and its impact on perinatal morbidity or mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Progesterone demonstrates efficacy in reducing PTB for specific patient groups.
  • Further investigation is required to identify optimal candidates and formulations for progesterone therapy to prevent PTB.

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