Comparison of the efficacy of phloroglucinol versus ritodrine hydrochloride in preventing miscarriage and adverse reactions.

Objective: To analyze the efficacy of phloroglucinol versus ritodrine hydrochloride in preventing miscarriage and adverse reactions (ARs).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 211 patients with threatened abortion or premature birth who were admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between July 2019 and July 2021. The control group (n=57) received ritodrine hydrochloride, while the observation group (n=154) was treated with phloroglucinol. We compared the overall therapeutic efficacy, time to symptom resolution, cessation of uterine contractions, success rate of miscarriage prevention, and full-term pregnancy rate between the two groups. Estrogen levels, including serum progesterone (P), estradiol (E2), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), were measured and compared before and after treatment using ELISA. Additionally, neonatal outcomes, such as birth weight, Apgar scores, and umbilical arterial blood gas parameters [pH value, partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂), and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂)], were evaluated and compared between the groups. Finally, the incidence of ARs during treatment was assessed and compared.

Results: Compared to the control group, the observation group had higher effective rate of treatment, success rate of miscarriage prevention, and a full-term pregnancy rate (all P<0.05). The times to symptom resolution and cessation of uterine contractions were markedly shorter in the observation group than those in the control group (both P<0.05). After treatment, levels of serum P, E₂, and hCG in the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group (all P<0.05). Additionally, the body weight, Apgar scores, pH value, and PaO₂ of the neonates in the observation group were higher, while PaCO₂ and the incidence of ARs were lower compared to the control group (all P<0.05).

Conclusion: For threatened abortion or threatened premature labor, phloroglucinol is more effective than ritodrine hydrochloride for clinical intervention and treatment.