Comparison of Safety and Efficacy of Intravenous Magnesium Sulphate and Oral Nifedipine in Treatment of Preterm Labour

Abstract

Preterm labour remains a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Tocolytic agents like intravenous magnesium sulphate and oral nifedipine are widely used for delaying labour, yet their comparative safety and efficacy remain debated. This study aims to evaluate and compare the effectiveness and side effects of these two agents. A randomized controlled study was conducted with 200 pregnant women experiencing preterm labour between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation. Patients were administered either intravenous magnesium sulphate or oral nifedipine, and outcomes such as duration of pregnancy prolongation, adverse effects, and neonatal outcomes were recorded. Results indicated that nifedipine was more effective in prolonging pregnancy with fewer maternal side effects compared to magnesium sulphate, which was associated with higher adverse reactions. Understanding these differences can aid in optimizing treatment protocols for better maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

Keywords: Preterm labour, tocolytics, magnesium sulphate, nifedipine, pregnancy prolongation, neonatal outcomes