Abstract
Several strategies to prevent preterm birth have been evaluated over the last decades, but prematurity remains frequent, even in industrialized countries. One of the major challenges in obstetrics is to reduce the neonatal morbidity and mortality associated with preterm birth, as well as its associated cost. Progesterone has been used for several decades as a prophylactic treatment to prevent preterm birth, but its efficiency and side-effects have been always questioned. More recent research has demonstrated the usefulness of this treatment in certain pregnant populations and suggests that progesterone is effective for women with a prior history of preterm birth and for those with a short cervix measured by transvaginal ultrasound at midtrimester. In women with multiple gestations, progesterone is not indicated and studies are still ongoing among women with threatened preterm labour. In this article, we reviewed the different indications for the use of progesterone to prevent preterm birth, possible formulations available, and associated economic aspects.
Keywords: Neonatology, obstetrics, progesterone, progestagens, preterm birth/delivery, preterm labour, short cervix, side effects
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