Preterm Birth Frequency among Women with Risk Factors Presenting at 28–34 Weeks and Receiving Oral Micronized Progesterone: A Prospective Single-Arm Study: Preterm Birth Frequency among Women Receiving Oral Micronized Progesterone

Fareeha Khaliq Khan; Shahnillah Zafar; Fariha Arshad; Aneeta Tajammul; Sadaf Khurshid; Sanum Asif

doi:10.54393/pbmj.v9i9.1412

Authors

Fareeha Khaliq Khan Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Shahnillah Zafar Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Fariha Arshad Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Aneeta Tajammul Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Sadaf Khurshid University College of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Sanum Asif University College of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v9i9.1412

Keywords:

Pregnancy, Premature Birth, Progesterone, Risk Factors, Treatment Adherence and Compliance

Abstract

Preterm birth (PTB) remains a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Evidence regarding oral progesterone in women presenting with risk factors later in gestation remains limited. Objectives: To determine the frequency of PTB before 37 completed weeks among women presenting at 28–34 weeks with risk factors for PTB and receiving oral micronized progesterone. Methods: This prospective single-arm study included 100 women aged 18–40 years with singleton pregnancies at 28–34 weeks and a previous spontaneous PTB, cervical length <25 mm, or both. Oral micronized progesterone 100 mg was given twice daily until 36+6 weeks or delivery. Participants were followed until delivery. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0. Quantitative variables were summarized as median and interquartile range. Categorical variables were reported as frequencies and percentages. Mann–Whitney U and Fisher exact tests were used where appropriate. Results: Median age was 30.0 years and median cervical length was 23.4 mm. PTB occurred in 15 (15.0%) women (95% CI: 8.6–23.5), while 85 (85.0%) delivered at term. Five (5.0%) delivered before 34 weeks and 10 (10.0%) at 34 to <37 weeks. Median gestational age at delivery was 38.2 weeks. Compliance was good in 93 (93.0%) women. Twenty women reported adverse effects, with one recorded adverse effect per affected participant. Conclusion: PTB occurred in 15.0% of women receiving oral micronized progesterone, while 85.0% reached term gestation.

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