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RETRACTED ARTICLE: Vaginal progesterone for prevention of preterm labor in asymptomatic twin pregnancies with sonographic short cervix: a randomized clinical trial of efficacy and safety

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics volume 293, pages 61–67 (2016)Cite this article

This article was retracted on 27 July 2021

27 May 2020 Editor’s Note: The Editor-in-Chief is currently investigating this article (El-refaie et al., 2016) as concerns have been raised about the integrity of the data. There is also an ongoing investigation by the University of Mansoura. Further editorial action will be taken as appropriate once the investigation into the concerns is complete and all parties have been given an opportunity to respond in full.

A Letter to the Editor to this article was published on 20 August 2015

This article has been updated

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the value of vaginal progesterone therapy for reduction of preterm labor in asymptomatic women with twin pregnancies and sonographic short cervix.

Methods

This randomized controlled study was conducted in Mansoura University Hospital and private practice settings in Mansoura, Egypt. Of 322 women with dichorionic twin pregnancy, 250 asymptomatic women with cervical length of 20–25 mm at 20–24 weeks of gestation were included in the study. All women were randomly divided into two groups; the study group (n = 125) received vaginal progesterone suppositories in a dose of 400 mg daily starting at 20–24 weeks of gestation while the control group (n = 125) received no treatment. The primary outcome measure was preterm labor before 34 weeks of gestation and the secondary outcome measures were neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and early neonatal death (END).

Results

224 women (116 in the study group and 108 in the control group) were subjected to final analysis. The duration of pregnancy was significantly longer in the study group and the incidence of preterm labor before 34 and 32 weeks of gestation was significantly lower in the study group. The neonatal morbidities and mortality were significantly lower in the study group as shown by lower incidence of very low (<1500 gm) birth weight, neonatal RDS, the need for mechanical ventilation and END.

Conclusions

Vaginal progesterone administration in asymptomatic twin pregnancies with sonographic short cervix (20–25 mm) at 20–24 weeks of gestation is effective and safe treatment for reducing the incidence of preterm labor with subsequent reduction in the neonatal morbidities and mortality associated with preterm birth.

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Fig. 1

Change history

  • 27 May 2020

    Editor’s Note: The Editor-in-Chief is currently investigating this article (El-refaie et al., 2016) as concerns have been raised about the integrity of the data. There is also an ongoing investigation by the University of Mansoura. Further editorial action will be taken as appropriate once the investigation into the concerns is complete and all parties have been given an opportunity to respond in full.

  • 27 July 2021

    A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-021-06152-1

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Conflict of interest

We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mansoura University Hospitals, Mansoura University, Elgomhouria St., Mansoura, Dakahlia, 35111, Egypt

    Waleed El-refaie, Mohamed S. Abdelhafez & Ahmed Badawy

Authors
  1. Waleed El-refaie
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  2. Mohamed S. Abdelhafez
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  3. Ahmed Badawy
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohamed S. Abdelhafez.

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El-refaie, W., Abdelhafez, M.S. & Badawy, A. RETRACTED ARTICLE: Vaginal progesterone for prevention of preterm labor in asymptomatic twin pregnancies with sonographic short cervix: a randomized clinical trial of efficacy and safety. Arch Gynecol Obstet 293, 61–67 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3767-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3767-1

Keywords

  • Twins
  • Preterm labor
  • Prematurity
  • Progesterone
  • Short cervix