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Nitroglycerin Improves Health of Premature Babies
Nitroglycerin is a drug used for patients with chest pain, but new research reveals it may also be beneficial for women who go into early labor. Researchers report giving a nitroglycerin patch to women in premature labor will delay birth and improve the baby's health.
The incidence of pre-term birth continues to rise. It is the leading cause of death and disability for newborn babies worldwide. Canadian researchers, led by doctors from Queen's University in Ontario, conducted a five-year, randomized, controlled clinical trial. The study involved 153 women who went into pre-term labor. Doctors gave the women either a nitroglycerin patch or a placebo patch.
Researchers report using the nitroglycerin patch prolonged the pregnancy and improved the baby's health. The improvements were especially noted in babies born very prematurely at 24 weeks to 28 weeks. Also, there were fewer side effects than seen with the use of the other drugs.
"Our team is very excited about these findings," reports lead study author Graeme Smith, M.D. "It is estimated it costs the Canadian health system almost $2 billion a year to take care of premature babies and their medical complications … Treatment with nitroglycerin may result in major cost saving and longer-term health benefits for these babies."