Study: Nitroglycerin Helps Prevent Premature Births

A new study has found that giving nitroglycerin to women experiencing premature labor helps to prolong their pregnancy, thereby improving their babies' health. According to the study, conducted by Canadian Researchers, the boost in the health of babies whose mothers were treated with nitroglycerin was largest in those who were going to be born extremely prematurely – 24 to 28 weeks. Premature birth is a major cause of cerebral palsy, other disabilities and death in newborns around the world. According to researchers at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, this is the first time a study has identified a drug that can prevent preterm birth and also improve baby health outcomes. Nitroglycerin even produces fewer side effects than other preterm birth drugs.

The Study

The study, funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research, was published in the January edition of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Women were recruited for the study at hospitals when they went into preterm labor. Over the course of five years, it studied 153 women. Premature baby care can be extremely expensive for families and societies, especially when complications arise. The researchers said that based on their findings, “treatment with nitroglycerin may result in major cost savings and longer-term health benefits for these babies.” The treatment may be able to prevent many cases of cerebral palsy. If you or a loved one has cerebral palsy, and you feel it may have resulted from medical malpractice, you may be eligible to recover compensation with the help of an experienced and effective attorney. Please contact us today for a complimentary consultation with an experienced medical malpractice attorney who can answer your questions and help you determine the best course of action for you.