Abstracts » Health

Effect of advancing gestational age on the frequency of fetal ductal constriction in association with maternal indomethacin use

Article Abstract:

Treatment with indomethacin after the eighth month of pregnancy may increase the risk of fetal ductal constriction. Indomethacin is a drug used to treat premature labor, an excess of amniotic fluid (hydramnios), and benign uterine tumors. Fetal ductal constriction is narrowing of the ductus arteriosus, a fetal blood vessel that directly connects the pulmonary artery to the descending aorta. A study examined the incidence of fetal ductal constriction in 44 pregnant women who were treated with indomethacin for premature labor or hydramnios. Fourteen of the women were pregnant with twins or triplets, and 30 were pregnant with a single fetus. Constriction of the ductus arteriosus occurred in 17 fetuses, and the frequency was the same in the multiple and the singleton (single fetus) pregnancies. The incidence of fetal ductal constriction increased significantly after the eighth month of pregnancy.

Physiological aspects, Gestational age, Fetal heart

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The effect of indomethacin tocolysis on fetal ductus arteriosus constriction with advancing gestational age

Article Abstract:

Routine fetal heart monitoring with echocardiography appears to be appropriate in pregnant women treated with indomethacin to stop premature labor. Repeated echocardiograms on 72 fetuses of mothers treated with indomethacin were analyzed for the drug's effect on blood vessel and flow changes, particularly in the ductus arteriosus. Half of the fetuses had evidence of vessel narrowing in the ductus arteriosus, typically within five days of treatment and at an average age of 30.9 weeks of pregnancy. Blood flow was faster in older fetuses experiencing vessel narrowing. These effects were reversed after stopping treatment.

Usage, Prevention, Premature labor, Echocardiography, Tocolytic agents, Ductus arteriosus

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A double-blind randomized study of fetal side effects during and after the short-term maternal administration of indomethacin, sulindac, and nimesulide for the treatment of preterm labor

Article Abstract:

The drug nimesulide does not have fewer side effects on an unborn baby than indomethacin or sulindac, according to a study of 30 pregnant women who took one of the three drugs. All three drugs had an adverse effect on the unborn baby, although the baby recovered within three days after the drug was stopped. Nimesulide belongs to a group of drugs called COX-2 inhibitors, which are used to treat pain.

Sulindac

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