[Comparing the effects of Indomethacin and magnesium-sulfate in the treatment of preterm labor]

The prevalence of preterm labor in Iran is 6-10%, accounting for 80% of neonatal morbidity. The most effective tocolytic agents to delay the preterm labor have not yet been known. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of Indomethacin [ICN] and Magnesium-Sulfate [Mgs] in delaying preterm labor and also to assess the maternal complications associated with the two drugs. This randomized clinical trial study was performed on 24-32 week pregnant women [n=60] at risk for preterm labor referred to Shabih-Khani maternity hospital in Kashan. The women were divided into two equal groups: intravenous Mg sulfate [control] or ICN rectal suppository [intervention] groups. Then, the delaying of preterm labor and also the maternal morbidity were assessed in both groups. No significant difference was seen in maternal and sociodemographic variables between the two groups. The delaying of preterm labor was the same for both groups and no case of preterm labor was seen in women during the first 48 hours of hospitalization. Moreover, there was no significant difference in variables [e.g. the maternal age, the number of gravida, gestational age, symptoms on admission, the number of prior preterm labors and a history of preterm labor] between the two groups. The most common complication in both groups was nausea. There was no case of oligohydramnios in the indomethacin group. Although the delaying of preterm labor was the same in both groups, Mg sulfate administration requires permanent nursing care. It seems that ICN can be used as one of primary tocolytic treatments in preterm labor

[Effect of aspirin for prevention of preeclampsia in women with abnormal ultrasonic findings in uterine artery]

Prevention of preeclampsia is very important in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of aspirin in the prevention of preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancies with abnormal findings at uterine artery in doppler ultrasound among women referred to Shabih- Khani hospital in Kashan. In this clinical trial study, women predisposed to preeclampsia at 12-16 weeks of gestation were evaluated by uterine artery doppler ultrasound and in the case of abnormal findings, they were randomly divided into two groups, experimental [n=40] and control [n=40] groups. The experimental group was received aspirin 80 mg/day. Groups were followed up until delivery and pregnancy outcomes [e.g. incidence of preeclampsia, IUGR, preterm labour, 1st and 5th min APGAR less than 5, delivery type and birth weight] were analyzed. The incidence of preeclampsia in experimental [aspirin] group and control group were 2.5%, 22.5%, respectively. In addition, the risk of preeclampsia was 9 folds more than that of control group [P=0.007]. No significant difference was seen between the two groups in the type of delivery, birth weight and gestational age. Aspirin administration during 12-16 weeks of pregnancy can decrease the incidence of preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancy with abnormal findings of uterine artery as a preventive measure

[Incidence of perineal trauma in normal spontaneous vaginal delivery in Shabih-khani maternity hospital of Kashan during 2007-9]

Trauma to genital tract is a common complication of normal vaginal delivery and may result from episiotomies, spontaneous lacerations or both. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of perineal trauma in normal spontaneous vaginal delivery in patients admitted to Kashan Shabih-khani Maternity Hospital. All women having normal vaginal delivery at Kashan Shabihkhani Maternity Hospital from October 2007 to September 2009 were enrolled to this descriptive-analytical retrospective study. Data were collected from hospital charts and analyzed by chi-square test. Severe [third or fourth] degree tears were seen in 0.16% of cases, 0.14% of which accompanied episiotomy. First and 2nd degree tears without episiotomy happened in 90.3% and 9.6%, respectively. Type of trauma is correlated to the birth weight of the baby [P=0.001]. Episiotomy has no significant beneficial effect on prevention of perineal trauma. So, it is recommended that episiotomies to be avoided unless for exceptional cases