The use of calcium channel blockers as tocolytics may adversely affect pregnancy outcomes: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of calcium channel blockers in tocolytic therapy on obstetric outcomes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

For our study, as a retrospective case control study, data were obtained from hospital records. During 2018, there were 65 patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of preterm labor and were treated with calcium channel blockers used as tocolytics (nifedipine, nicardipine) and these patients constituted the study group. Pregnant women with systemic disease were excluded from the total of 1552 patients who were followed and who gave birth in 2018. After exclusion to equalize the samples, we chose 65 healthy pregnant women from the remaining 646 healthy pregnancies using a simple random number table and these patients formed the control group. The obstetric and neonatal results of both groups were compared.

RESULTS

There was no difference between the groups in terms of birth week, preterm labor rate, low birth weight, and delivery type. While birth weights were significantly lower, the need for neonatal intensive care and the number of infants weighing 2500-3000 g were higher in the study group (p < 0.05). When the results of pregnancies that gave birth at term weeks and were not administered steroids were compared, the birth weight was lower and the number of infants weighing 2500-3000 g was higher in the study group.

CONCLUSION

The use of calcium channel blockers in pregnancy may adversely affect birth weight gain and the need for intensive care.