Treatment of Preterm Labor with the Beta-Adrenergic Agonist Ritodrine

PHARMACOLOGIC inhibition of preterm uterine activity with beta-adrenergic agonists has been used extensively in the past 20 years to arrest premature labor. 1 It has been assumed that the use of these agents reduces perinatal mortality and the frequency of long-term handicaps by reducing the rate of prematurity. 2 3 4 5 6 7 To date, however, there is limited evidence to substantiate this belief. 8 , 9 In a recent meta-analysis, 10 King et al. reviewed 16 controlled trials in which tocolytic agents, chiefly ritodrine, a relatively specific beta 2 -adrenergic agonist, 1 were evaluated. Beta-adrenergic agonists were found to be effective in reducing the proportion of women who delivered within . . .