A study of 208 patients in premature labour treated with orally administered salbutamol

Orally administered salbutamol (8 mg every six hours) is a simple, acceptable and effective method of inhibiting labour. Of 208 patients, 89.4% had pregnancy prolonged for longer than two days. The pregnancy was prolonged for one week in 77.5%, and for two weeks in 66.8% of patients. Tremor and anxiety occurred in 68.3% of patients, and tachycardia greater than 110 beats per minute in 21.2%, but these proved tolerable if the patient was forwarned. Haemorrhages, both ante partum, and post partum, were apparently reduced. Glycosuria and pre-eclampsia were uncommon. Urinary oestriol levels were not significantly altered. Perinatal mortality was 58 per 1000 live and still births. The babies were active at delivery, but prone to hypothermia. The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (4.1%) was low, particularly in babies born within four hours of the last salbutamol administration. Low Apgar scores were also uncommon in this group.