Single-centre randomised trial of ritodrine hydrochloride for preterm labour

106 women between 24 and 33 weeks' gestation and in preterm labour, rigidly defined to include cervical dilatation plus regular uterine contractions, were randomly allocated to receive either intravenous ritodrine hydrochloride or no tocolytic treatment. Ritodrine treatment significantly delayed delivery for 24 hours or less but did not significantly modify the ultimate perinatal consequences of preterm labour.