Using 17 α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate to impact rates of recurrent preterm delivery in clinical practice

Abstract

Objective. Evaluation of an outpatient 17 α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) administration programme.

Methods. A retrospective analysis of data collected from patients with a history of preterm birth (PTB) and current singleton gestation enrolled between 16.0 and 20.9 weeks' gestational age (GA) for weekly outpatient 17P administration and nursing assessment between 7/2004 and 12/2007 was conducted (n = 3139).

Results. The population was mostly white (50.3%), 18–35 years old (77.7%), and married (67.0%). Median GA at 17P initiation and stop was 17.4 (16.0, 20.9) weeks and 35.1 (18.6, 37.4) weeks. Mean injections per patient were 16.5 ± 4.9, at an interval of 7.2 days. Median GA at delivery was 37.3 (18.6, 44.0) weeks. Rate of recurrent spontaneous PTB was 29.8%, with 15.5% and 7.0% with PTB at <35 and <32 weeks.

Conclusions. This represents the largest cohort reported to date of patients prescribed 17P therapy in clinical practice to prevent recurrent spontaneous PTB.

Keywords:

• 17 α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate
• preterm birth prevention
• progesterone

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.