Prophylactic administration of clindamycin 2% vaginal cream to reduce the incidence of spontaneous preterm birth in women with an increased recurrence risk: a randomised placebo-controlled double-blind trial.

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that prophylactic administration of clindamycin 2% vaginal cream can reduce the incidence of preterm birth in a high risk population.

DESIGN

A multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

SETTING

Twelve city hospitals in The Netherlands.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and sixty-eight women with a singleton pregnancy and a history of a spontaneous preterm delivery in the preceding pregnancy.

INTERVENTIONS

Clindamycin 2% vaginal cream, or placebo cream, administered daily for seven days at 26 and 32 weeks of gestation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Spontaneous preterm birth at < 37 weeks, admission for threatened preterm labour, neonatal infectious morbidity.

RESULTS

In the intention-to-treat analysis no difference was found in overall preterm birth between clindamycin and placebo (23% vs 18%, respectively). In the subgroup who completed the trial and administered all medication, more women delivered before 34 weeks in the clindamycin group (1.4% in the placebo vs 9.0% in the clindamycin group; P < 0.05). The length of admissions for threatened preterm labour did not differ. More infectious neonatal morbidity was seen in the clindamycin group (5/83 vs 0/85; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Clindamycin 2% vaginal cream given prophylactically to women with a spontaneous preterm birth in the preceding pregnancy did not prevent preterm delivery or reduce the number of admissions for threatened preterm labour. The neonatal infectious morbidity in the group treated with clindamycin was significantly higher and a major concern.