17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate for preterm birth prevention: Where have we been, how did we get here, and

Tracy A Manuck1

  • 1Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 3010 Old Clinic Building, CB#7516, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7516.

Seminars in Perinatology
|September 27, 2017
PubMed

Prematurity is a major public health problem in the United States and worldwide. Women with a history of a previous preterm birth are at high risk for recurrence. Progesterone is a key hormone involved in pregnancy maintenance. In general, progesterone is thought to maintain pregnancy through several closely linked mechanisms: (1) promotion of uterine quiescence, (2) inhibition of pro-inflammatory cells, and (3) immunosuppressive action. 17-Alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate is currently the only medication approved to prevent recurrent preterm birth. The purpose of this review is to discuss the history of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate use for recurrent preterm birth prevention, the rationale behind 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate administration, and current evidence-based indications for 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate use.

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