Nifedipine eerste keus bij de behandeling van dreigende vroeggeboorte

- Preterm birth is the most important cause of perinatal mortality in Europe and North America.

- Tocolytic agents named β₂-sympathicomimetics postpone delivery for 24-48 hours, but do not reduce perinatal mortality or morbidity.

- Calcium antagonists, in particular nifedipine, are more effective tocolytic agents than β₂-sympathicomimetics in terms of delaying delivery. Meta-analyses have found that calcium antagonists statistically significantly reduced perinatal morbidity and that the number of maternal side effects was statistically significantly lower compared with β₂-sympathicomimetics.

- Nifedipine also has the benefit of oral administration, in contrast with β₂-sympathicomimetics which are administered intravenously.

- Nifedipine is therefore the first choice in the management of threatening preterm labour.