In the period from 1993 to 1998 we analyzed all the threatening preterm del
iveries from 22 to 36 weeks of gestation which were treated with ritodrine
chloride therapy (Pre-Par by Belupo) except for multiple pregnancies and st
illbirths. The intravenous therapy was administered in active preterm labou
r and oral therapy was given in the prevention of preterm labour. Out of 11
15 pregnant women who were given ritodrine orally, 966 (86.7%) had term del
iveries and out of 99 pregnant women who started to be treated with intrave
nous therapy 68 (68.7%) had term deliveries. This difference is significant
.
The incidence of values of Apgar score less than or equal to7 at first and
fifth minutes and intracranial hemorrhage was significantly higher in newbo
rns whose mothers were given intravenous therapy, while there was no signif
icant difference in the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome, infecti
ons, early neurological signs and fetal postpartal mortality regarding the
way of taking ritodrine.