Treatment of Preterm Labor with Human Chorionic Gonadotropin: A New Modality

Previous studies have demonstrated that human myometrium contains receptors for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and that hCG can inhibit myometrial contractions in vitro.

To use for the first time hCG as a tocolytic agent in the treatment of preterm labor.

The study group included 100 women with preterm labor; 50 were assigned to receive HCC and 50 placebo. Assignment was made with stratification according to four categories of gestational age between 20–35 weeks. One half of the surviving infants were followed-up at 18 months. The protocol of the dosage consisted of one single dose of hCG 5,000 IV and 10,000 units of hCG in 500 dextrose as a drip of 20 drops per minute.

The mean length of time from randomization to delivery differs significantly for the two groups: 28.8 days for the hCG group and 15 days for the placebo treatment group (highly statistically significant, P <0.001). There was statistically significant difference (P <0.05) between the two groups regarding the induction of delivery before 37 weeks and the proportion of infants weighing less than 2,500 g. Human chorionic gonadotropin treatment was associated with an improvement score on the Bayley psychomotor development index.

Human chorionic gonadotropin exhibits potent tocolysis with no fetal side effects. This preliminary study suggests that HCG may be a candidate for tocolytic therapy of preterm labor.