Unit policies regarding tocolysis after preterm premature rupture of membranes: association with latency, neonatal and 2-year outcomes (EPICE cohort)

Sci Rep. 2020 Jun 12;10(1):9535. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-65201-y.

Abstract

After preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), antibiotics and antenatal steroids are effective evidence-based interventions, but the use of tocolysis is controversial. We investigated whether a unit policy of tocolysis use after PPROM is associated with prolonged gestation and improved outcomes for very preterm infants in units that systematically use these other evidence-based treatments. From the prospective, observational, population-based EPICE cohort study (all very preterm births in 19 regions from 11 European countries, 2011-2012), we included 607 women with a singleton pregnancy and PPROM at 24-29 weeks' gestation, of whom 101, 195 and 311 were respectively managed in 17, 32 and 45 units with no-use, restricted and liberal tocolysis policies for PPROM. The association between unit policies and outcomes (early-onset sepsis, survival at discharge, survival at discharge without severe morbidity and survival at two years without gross motor impairment) was investigated using three-level random-intercept logistic regression models, showing no differences in neonatal or two-year outcomes by unit policy. Moreover, there was no association between unit policies and prolongation of gestation in a multilevel survival analysis. Compared to a unit policy of no-use of tocolysis after PPROM, a liberal or restricted policy is not associated with improved obstetric, neonatal or two-year outcomes.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cohort Studies
  • Europe
  • Female
  • Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture / drug therapy*
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature / physiology
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / prevention & control
  • Pregnancy
  • Premature Birth / prevention & control
  • Prospective Studies
  • Tocolysis / methods
  • Tocolytic Agents / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Tocolytic Agents

Supplementary concepts

  • Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes