Perinatal hazards of chronic antenatal tocolysis with indomethacin

Indomethacin was administered from the 20th to the 34th week of gestation to 51 women (59 fetuses) in whom bed rest and a beta-mimetic compound (ritodrine) had failed to stop preterm labor. No serious maternal side effects were observed. Of the 8 perinatal deaths, 5 were not and 3 were possibly related to the prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor. The sole case of serious neonatal morbidity is not considered to have had a causal relationship with the indomethacin treatment.