ABSTRACT
Background: Preterm birth is the major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of prophylactic vaginal progesterone on decreasing preterm birth rate and neonatal complications in a high-risk population
Materials and Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed on 100 high-risk singleton pregnancies. Vaginal suppository progesterone [400 mg] or placebo was administered daily between 16-22 wks to 36 wks of gestation. Progesterone [n=50] and placebo [n=50] groups were compared for incidence of preterm delivery and neonatal complications
Results: The preterm birth rate was 52%. Preterm birth rate before the 37 wks of gestation [68% vs. 36%: RR=1.89, 95% CI: 1.25-2.86] and also before the 34 wks of gestation [42% vs. 18%: RR=2.33, 95% CI: 1.19-4.58] in placebo group was significantly higher than progesterone group. Our study also showed that the administration of vaginal progesterone was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of birth weight
Conclusion: Prophylactic vaginal progesterone reduced the rate of preterm delivery, the risk of a birth weight