Treatment of premature labor with beta sympathomimetics: results with isoxsuprine

This prospective study presents a protocol for the treatment of premature labor with beta sympathomimetics and the results when isoxsuprine was used. Seventy-two patients from 25 to 36 weeks' gestation were treated. All patients were placed at bed rest, hydrated, and given parenteral sedation prior to the intravenous use of isoxsuprine. Treatment was continued via the intramuscular and oral routes until the thirty-seventh week of gestation. Three patients (4.2%) were delivered of infants during the initial infusion, and 15 (20.2%) were delivered of infants within 2 weeks after the onset of therapy. Forty-nine (68%) were delivered of infants after 37 weeks' gestation, and their infants weighed more than 2,500 grams. Maternal side effects were common, but none necessitated termination of therapy. There were six neonatal deaths, the causes of which were respiratory distress syndrome in two infants, necrotizing enterocolitis in one, group B streptococcal sepsis in one, congenital anomalies with sepsis in one, and multiple congenital anomalies in one.