#171 Management of Preterm Labor Flashcards
What is the leading cause of neonatal mortality?
Preterm birth
What is the preterm birth rate in the US?
12%
What percentage of preterm births are preceded by preterm labor?
50%
Preterm births account for what % of neonatal deaths?
70%
Preterm births account for what % of infant deaths?
36%
Preterm births account for what % of cases of long-term neurologic impairment in children?
25-50%
What is the definition of preterm birth?
Birth between 20w0d and 36w6d gestation
What is the definition of preterm labor?
- Regular uterine contractions accompanied by a change in cervical dilation, effacement, or both
- Initial presentation with regular contractions and cervical dilation of at least 2cm
What % of women with clinical diagnosis of preterm labor give birth within 7d of presentation?
Less thatn 10%
What therapeutic agents are currently thought to be clearly associated with improved neonatal outcomes?
Antenatal corticosteroids and targeted use of magnesium sulfate
Which tests can be used to stratify risk for preterm delivery in patients who present with preterm contractions?
Observational studies say that fetal fibronectin and cervical length may help reduce use of unnecessary resources, but findings have not been confirmed by RCTs.
Does fetal fibronectin testing have a high positive predictive value for preterm delivery?
No
Does a short cervical length for a women presenting with preterm contractions have a high positive predictive value for preterm delivery?
No
What percent of preterm labor spontaneously resolve?
30%
What percent of patients hospitalized for preterm labor deliver at term?
50%
For how long is tocolytic therapy generally effective for?
48 hours
When is it appropriate to administer tocolytics before viability?
When contractions occur after an event known to cause preterm labor, such as intra-abdominal surgery
What is the upper limit for the use of tocolytic agents to prevent preterm birth?
34 weeks
What are contraindications to tocolysis?
IUFD, lethal fetal anomaly, nonreassuring fetal status, severe preeclampsia or eclampsia, maternal bleeding with hemodynamic instability, chorioamnionitis, PPROM, maternal contraindication to tocolysis (agent specific)
What percentage of women presenting to triage for symptoms of preterm labor delivered before 37wks?
18%
What percentage of women presenting to triage for symptoms of preterm labor deliver within 2 weeks?
3%