Comparison of oral nifedipine and transdermal nitroglycerine as a tocolytic for preterm labour

In the study with NTG and NIFEDIPINE n= 97 it was observed that Preterm labour is common in primigravida in the age group of 20 to 29 years. 1. There were 43 to 45 % of cases between 32 to 34 weeks. 2. Previous preterm delivery was found in 10.3%, previous abortions was found in 8.24% in NTG GROUP and 8.24% in NIFEDIPINE group. 3. Failure of tocolysis was more in NTG group when compare to nifedipine group. But statistically it was insignificant but when the cervical dilatationwas greater than 3 cm, nifedipine was significantly more effective in prolonging pregnancy compare to NTG. 4. The prolongation of pregnancy more than 48 hours was found to be more in 32 to 34 weeks in NTG and nifedipine group. 5. Among the nitroglycerine group 74.22% required 10 mg and 25.77% required 20 mg. 79.38% and 20.6% required 20 mg and 40 mg in the nifedipine group respectively. 6. The cervix was 1 cm dilated in 28.86% both in NTG and nifedipine group, 2cm dilated in 43.29% and 39.17% in NTG group and nifedipine group respectively and 27.83% and 31.95 % in 3 cm dilated in NTG and nifedipine group respectively. 7. The patients who delivered after 48 hours in NTG and nifedipine group with cervical dilatation 2cm is 41.2% and 39.17% respectively and 28.86% and 27.83% in patients with 1 cm dilatation respectively. p value is 0.03. 8. The cervix was 25% effaced in 53.60% of cases and 50.51% of cases in NTG group and nifedipine group respectively, 50% effaced in 25.77% of cases and 27.83% of cases in NTG group and nifedipine group respectively, 20.16% and 21.64% of cases in NTG group and nifedipine group respectively. 9. Among the patients who delivered successfully in the NTG group and nifedipine group the cervix was 25% effaced in 51.54 % and 48.45% and 50% effaced in 23.71% and 26.80% and 75% effaced in 14.31% and 18.55% respectively. P value is 0.9. 10. Headache and maternal tachycardia were the most common side effect. 11. No maternal mortality. 12. The neonatal mortality was 5.15% in NTG group and 3.09% in nifedipine. Not achieved group in vaginal delivery. No neonatal mortality in caeserian Group. 85.56% and 83.50% of cases delivered vaginally in nifedipine group and nitroglycerine group respectively. 13. Among the achieved cases 46.39% and 64.94% found in NTG group and in nifedipine group respectively in 2.5 – 3 kg group. > 3kg was found in 9.27% in NTG group compared to nifedipine group 5.15%. CONCLUSION: It is concluded from the study that oral Nifedipine is better in safety and efficacy than transdermal patch of nitroglycerine in prolonging the pregnancy