Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39987000›Full record

SynthesisBMJ open2025

Comparative effectiveness and safety of nifedipine and magnesium sulfate as treatment options for preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Jianing Fan, Qianqian Lu, Jie Chen, Pingping Lin, Chong Fan, Juan Lyv, Yuhan Zhang, Xinyan Wang

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-AnalysisComparative Study
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Jianing Fan *Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0000-5279-6993
Qianqian Lu *Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Jie ChenWomen's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Pingping LinWomen's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Chong FanWomen's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6331-1832
Juan LyvWomen's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Yuhan ZhangWomen's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China maymay0512@njmu.edu.cn yuhanzhang123@outlook.com.
Xinyan WangWomen's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China maymay0512@njmu.edu.cn yuhanzhang123@outlook.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesPreterm birth (PTB) is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Effective use of tocolytic agents may improve perinatal outcomes. This study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of nifedipine and magnesium sulfate in the treatment of PTB.

designA systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, WanFang, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane were searched from inception to 1 December 2024. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies that compare the efficacy and safety of magnesium sulfate versus nifedipine in treating PTB. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two researchers independently screened studies and extracted data. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool for RCTs and the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for non-randomised studies. Meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager V.5.4.

resultsIn all, 50 articles were included in this review, comprising 6072 cases (n=3014 for the magnesium sulfate group; n=3058 for the nifedipine group). Compared with the magnesium sulfate group, the nifedipine group was more favourable in terms of time to onset of action and prolongation of days of gestation, as well as higher neonatal 1 min Apgar scores. The use of magnesium sulfate was associated with a higher incidence of maternal side effects, specifically tachycardia, flushing, palpitations, dizziness and nausea. In addition, the magnesium sulfate group also showed a higher incidence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome than the nifedipine group.

conclusionCompared with magnesium sulfate, nifedipine is more effective with a faster onset of action and a longer prolonging pregnancy. Additionally, nifedipine may be safer for fewer maternal side effects and better neonatal outcomes. Further studies are needed to confirm the long-term safety and efficacy of these treatments.

Indexed as

Magnesium SulfateNifedipinePremature BirthTocolytic AgentsFemaleHumansInfant, NewbornPregnancyRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicMagnesium SulfateNifedipineTocolytic AgentsMeta-AnalysisPregnant WomenSystematic Review

Identifiers

PMID39987000
PMCPMC11848690

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.