Comparison of Effectiveness of Vaginal Versus Intramuscular Progesterone for the Prevention of Preterm Delivery
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-3.13488Keywords:
Intramuscular progesterone, Preterm delivery, Vaginal progesteroneAbstract
Objective: To compare the effectiveness of vaginal progesterone versus intramuscular progesterone for the prevention of preterm delivery.
Study Design: Quasi Experimental study
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KRL Hospital, Islamabad, from 31st Aug 2022 to 2nd March,2023.
Methodology: A total of 170 women between 24 to 36+6 weeks of gestation with singleton pregnancy and at risk of preterm birth, with short cervical length (10th percentile for the gestational age) were recruited after taking written informed consent. Patients were divided into two groups: In Group-A, patients were administered 200 mg of vaginal progesterone pessary once daily and in Group-B, 250 mg of intramuscular progesterone were injected weekly. The treatment was continued until 34 completed weeks of gestation in case of continuation of pregnancy.Therapy was discontinued if premature rupture of membranes or miscarriage occurred and the fetus was delivered before 37 weeks.
Results: Our study shows that in Group A mean age was 30 years with SD ± 7.11 whereas in Group B mean age was 29 years with SD ± 6.95. Group A (Vaginal Progesterone) was effective in 75(88%) patients whereas Group B (Intramuscular Progesterone) was effective in 60(71%) patients. Statistical analysis revealed a P-value of 0.0044, indicating a significant difference in effectiveness between the two treatment modalities.
Conclusion: Vaginal progesterone is more effective than intramuscular progesterone for the prevention of preterm labour.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Kaniz Fatima, Saima Qamar, Nazneen Akhter, Ayesha Basharat, Beenish Riaz, Naila Javaid
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