Premature Labour — Parameters for Comparison Employing Methylxanthine Therapy

Summary: An attempt has been made to standardize the assessment of premature labour by the introduction of 2 parameters — the “premature labour unit” and the “premature labour score.” Their clinical application was assessed in relation to the trial of aminophylline (a methylxanthine) as an alternative drug for the treatment of premature labour. Aminophylline proved to be safe and effective; there was a suggestion that it may have benefited the fetus. The scoring system allowed a more meaningful assessment of premature labour.