Threatened preterm delivery and therapy

Preterm delivery is still one of the main causes contributing a great deal to the perina­tal morbidity and mortality. Preterm birth of the child can be postponed, or at least we can try to postpone it, with tocolysis. Time gained is used for maternal aplication of corticosteroids, which enhances maturation of fetal lungs and forma­tion of surfactant. Morbidity and mortality of the preterm newborns are thus lowered. Beta ago­nist ritodrine and magnesium sulphate are the most commonly used tocolytics in Department of perinatology. In the article threatened preterm delivery and newer tocolytics, as well as those used in the past, are discussed.