The use of progesterone during pregnancy to prevent preterm birth |
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| Authors: | Eman S Alsulmi Malikah Alfaraj Yaser Faden Noura Al Qahtani |
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| Institution: | From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Alsulmi, Alqahtani), King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam; from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Alfaraj), Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran; and from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Faden), King Abdulaziz Medical City, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |
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| Abstract: | One of the most significant problems facing maternal and children health worldwide is preterm birth (PTB). Although strategies to increase the survival of premature infants have significantly improved in the past few decades, they have yet to be successful. Nine years ago, the use of progesterone in pregnancy was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for PTB prevention. This paper reviews the recent evidence supporting the use of progesterone in pregnancy for PTB prevention and provides guidelines for its use in daily clinical practice. The guidelines address multiple current controversial areas regarding the prevention of PTB to aid physicians with their clinical decision-making practice, including the use in multifetal gestation, different formulations, safety in pregnancy, dose and route of administration. |
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| Keywords: | progesterone vaginal progesterone 17-alpha-hydroxy-progesterone caproate short cervix preterm birth |
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