Objective: This study was undertaken to study the effectiveness of continuous subcutaneous terbutaline (SQT) in the home after recurrent preterm labor (RPTL).
Study design: Women with RPTL at less than 32 weeks' gestation were treated with continuous SQT administered in the home compared with matched control patients.
Results: Fifteen SQT patients were compared with 45 women (3:1) treated with no tocolytic therapy after hospitalization. Gestational age at delivery more than 37 weeks (53% vs 4%), percentage delivered at less than 32 weeks (0% vs 47%), overall and pregnancy prolongation (49.8 +/- 19.2 days vs 24.5 +/- 12.8 days) were all significantly better in the study group (P <.001). The total number of maternal hospital days (9.8 +/- 2.1 vs 15.9 +/- 7.4, P <.0001), duration of NICU stay (1.9 +/- 4.9 vs 19.8 +/- 29.3 days, P <.001), and total cost for newborn care (6,995 +/- 14,822 US dollars vs 62,033 +/- 89,978 US dollars, P <.002) favored the study patients. For every dollar spent on SQT, there was a savings of 4.67 US dollars in newborn hospital costs for control patients.
Conclusion: In this small study, the use of SQT significantly prolongs pregnancy, decreases serious neonatal complications, and reduces the duration of hospitalization for both mother and infant, as well as neonatal costs.