Glyceryl Trinitrate Versus Magnesium Sulfate in the Suppression of Preterm Labor.

Preterm births (before 37 completed week gestation) account for approximately 5-10% of births and are the major cause of perinatal mortality in North America and Europe. This is largely because of a lack of standard treatments for this problem, therefore, the aim of this study was to compare glyceryl trinitrate with magnesium sulfate for their ability to suppress preterm labor. A clinical trial was performed at the Ali Ebne Abitaleb Hospital, in the Zahedan University of Medical Science. In total, 42 women with preterm labor and intact membranes with a gestational age between 27 and 37 weeks were divided into two groups at random. Patients in the experimental group received glyceryl trinitrate (5mgr transdermal patches /24 hours) and in the control group, magnesium sulfate (at first 4 gr infusion: 1gr/min and then 2gr/hour) was used until the suppression of preterm uterine contractions was observed. Results were obtained through observation and interview forms, and the resulting data was analyzed using chi square and T tests available in the SPSS statistical software (P <0.05). Mean duration of pregnancy prolongation was 14.87 days in the case group (min: 11 max: 59.38 SD: 14.28) and 13.44 days in the control group (min: 26 max: 36.63 SD: 14.77). There was no significant difference in the prolongation of pregnancy between glyceryl trinitrate and magnesium sulfate (P<0.05). Glyceryl trinitrate is a suitable substitute for magnesium sulfate in the suppression of preterm labor.