Oxytocin Receptor Antagonist (Atosiban) in the Threat of Preterm Birth: Does It Have Any Effect on Breastfeeding in the Term Newborn?

AIM

Oxytocin is a hormone involved in the mechanism of breastfeeding, uterine contractions, and social relationships. Atosiban (competitive oxytocin antagonist) is one of the most commonly used tocolytics for the threat of preterm labor in Europe. The aim of this study is to determinate if the administration of atosiban has any influence in the type of feeding in the term newborn at discharge. The secondary objective is to verify its effectiveness for the prevention of preterm delivery and in the possibility of applying treatment to complete lung maturation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective cohort study carried out in a tertiary University Hospital distinguished by WHO-UNICEF as a Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. The analysis included 264 women exposed to atosiban during a period of 4 years. One hundred met inclusion criteria. Unexposed infants born right after and before the exposed ones were selected as the not exposed subgroup (n = 200).

RESULTS

Among women treated with atosiban, 82% maintained exclusively breastfed (EBF), 8% had mixed breastfeeding, and 10% had formula feeding at discharge. In the nonexposed group, 82% maintained EBF, 9.5% had mixed breastfeeding, and 8.5% had formula feeding at discharge (p = 0.84). 97.5% of pregnant women treated with atosiban received corticosteroid for lung maturation, and 49.5% completed gestation with term newborns.

CONCLUSION

There were no significant differences in the type of feeding at discharge between the atosiban group and the nonexposed group. In most cases, the administration of tocolytic therapy allowed to complete lung maturation.