Salbutamol infusion for premature labour--the Australian trials experience.

Fourteen clinical trials were conducted in Australia to evaluate the safety and efficacy of salbutamol infusions in the prevention of premature labour. A total of 527 single pregnancies and 36 multiple pregnancies during which this treatment was used were reported sufficiently fully for inclusion in this report. The results suggest that significant prolongation of pregnancy can be achieved in most cases, provided that cervical dilatation is less than 3 cm and that the membranes are intact. If either of these conditions is absent, prolongation of pregnancy is still possible in some cases. The treatment is not without risks, and adequate supervision is essential.