HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN (HcG) VS MAGNESIUM SULPHATE (MgSo4) AS A TOCOLYTIC AGENT- A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Preterm labor is defined as regular contractions of the uterus resulting in changes in the cervix (effacement and dilatation) that start before 37 weeks of pregnancy. (1) Although preterm labor constitutes only 10% of total labors, yet 70% of infant's mortality is related to prematurity. It is therefore one of the international indices in assessment of health condition worldwide. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (H.C.G.) is a heterodimeric glycoprotein produced primarily in the placenta and has multiple endocrines, paracrine and immunoregulatory actions. (3) The importance of H.C.G. in maintenance of early pregnancy has been widely accepted, reports have highlighted a potential role of H.C.G. in maintaining uterine quiescence in the third trimester. H.C.G. exerts a potent concentration dependent inhibitory effect on human myometrial contractions. (4) Recent data suggests that H.C.G. might have a role as an endogenous tocolytic agent in normal pregnancy. A significant decrease in serum H.C.G. level was found 2-3 weeks before the spontaneous onset of labour. This might contribute to increasing the contractility in the uterine muscle and gradually initiating the onset of labour. (5)

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Preterm Labor
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG); Drug: Magnesium sulfate

Detailed Description

Preterm labor is defined as regular contractions of the uterus resulting in changes in the cervix (effacement and dilatation) that start before 37 weeks of pregnancy. (1) Although preterm labor constitutes only 10% of total labors, yet 70% of infant's mortality is related to prematurity. It is therefore one of the international indices in assessment of health condition worldwide. Factors that increase the risk of preterm birth include history of previous preterm birth, short cervix, short time between pregnancies, teenage pregnancy, history of certain types of surgery on the uterus or cervix, certain pregnancy complications, such as multiple pregnancy and vaginal bleeding and lifestyle factors such as low pre-pregnancy weight, smoking during pregnancy, and substance abuse during pregnancy.

Preterm labor can be diagnosed clinically only when changes in the cervix are found after pelvic examination along with contractions also may be monitored. A transvaginal ultrasound exam may be done to measure the length of your cervix. Tocolytics are drugs used to delay delivery for a short time (up to 48 hours). They may allow time for corticosteroids or magnesium sulfate to be given or for you to be transferred to a hospital that offers specialized care for preterm infants. (1,2) Tocolytic agents are β- HCG, MgSO4, nifedipine, β-agonists(salbutamol) and atosiban. Use of salbutamol is of limited use because of many cardiovascular complications i.e., ventricular arrythmia, hypertension and hyperglycemia while atosiban is expensive and not available in Pakistan.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (H.C.G.) is a heterodimeric glycoprotein produced primarily in the placenta and has multiple endocrines, paracrine and immunoregulatory actions. (3) The importance of H.C.G. in maintenance of early pregnancy has been widely accepted, reports have highlighted a potential role of H.C.G. in maintaining uterine quiescence in the third trimester. H.C.G. exerts a potent concentration dependent inhibitory effect on human myometrial contractions. (4) Recent data suggests that H.C.G. might have a role as an endogenous tocolytic agent in normal pregnancy. A significant decrease in serum H.C.G. level was found 2-3 weeks before the spontaneous onset of labour. This might contribute to increasing the contractility in the uterine muscle and gradually initiating the onset of labour. (5) Following I.M. injection, peak concentration of H.C.G. occurs about 6 hrs after a dose. It is distributed primarily to gonads. Blood concentration declines in a biphasic manner, with a half-life between about 6 and 11 hrs and 23 to 38 hrs respectively. About 10 to 12% of an IM dose is excreted in urine within 24 hours. (6)

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 70
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Islamabad, Pakistan, 44000
    • Mother and Child Care Hospital, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 4 uterine contractions per 20 min or 8 contractions per hour
2. single live fetus
3. Pregnancy less than 37 weeks
4. Intact Membranes,
5. Dilatation less than 3cm and effacement less than 80%.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Cervical Dilatation more than 4 cm
2. Abnormal vaginal bleeding
3. Premature Rupture of membranes
4. Cardiopulmonary compromised
5. Fetal and Uterine anomalies

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN (HCG) Group; H.C.G. will be given in Group A and in a dose of 5000units intramuscular injection followed by a drip of 10,000 units in 500ml of dextrose 5%, at the rate of 20 drops per minute. Half hourly assessment of uterine contractions, maternal vital signs, fetal heart rate monitoring will be done.	Drug: human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG); H.C.G. will be given in Group A and in a dose of 5000units intramuscular injection followed by a drip of 10,000 units in 500ml of dextrose 5%, at the rate of 20 drops per minute.
Active Comparator: Magnesium Sulphate(MgSO4) Group; 4gm of MgSO4 will be given in Group B as intravenously as continuous dose followed by 2gm/hr till uterine quiescence is achieved.	Drug: Magnesium sulfate; 4gm of MgSO4 will be given in Group B as intravenously as continuous dose followed by 2gm/hr till uterine quiescence is achieved.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Tocolysis	Tocolysis will be considered successful when contractions ceased and delivery will be delayed by 48 hrs giving time to the administered corticosteroids to accelerate fetal lung maturation	48 hours

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 15, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 15, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): December 20, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 13, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 13, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): April 25, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 7, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 5, 2024
• Last Verified: June 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pregnancy Complications; Obstetric Labor Complications; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Urogenital Diseases; Obstetric Labor, Premature; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Central Nervous System Depressants; Peripheral Nervous System Agents; Analgesics; Sensory System Agents; Anesthetics; Membrane Transport Modulators; Anticonvulsants; Calcium-Regulating Hormones and Agents; Reproductive Control Agents; Calcium Channel Blockers; Tocolytic Agents; Chorionic Gonadotropin; Magnesium Sulfate
• Other Study ID Numbers: 001 (Buy Pharma Ecza Deposu San. Tic. Ltd.)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED
• IPD Plan Description: I have not decided yet .

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No