Scolaris Content Display Scolaris Content Display

'Risk of bias' summary: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item for each included study.
Figuras y tablas -
Figure 1

'Risk of bias' summary: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item for each included study.

'Risk of bias' graph: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item presented as percentages across all included studies.
Figuras y tablas -
Figure 2

'Risk of bias' graph: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item presented as percentages across all included studies.

Funnel plot of comparison: 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, outcome: 1.1 Birth within 48 hours of treatment.
Figuras y tablas -
Figure 3

Funnel plot of comparison: 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, outcome: 1.1 Birth within 48 hours of treatment.

Funnel plot of comparison: 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, outcome: 1.2 Perinatal death (7 days).
Figuras y tablas -
Figure 4

Funnel plot of comparison: 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, outcome: 1.2 Perinatal death (7 days).

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 1 Birth within 48 hours of treatment.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.1

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 1 Birth within 48 hours of treatment.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 2 Perinatal death (7 days).
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.2

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 2 Perinatal death (7 days).

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 3 Respiratory distress syndrome.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.3

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 3 Respiratory distress syndrome.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 4 Cerebral palsy.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.4

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 4 Cerebral palsy.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 5 Birth within 7 days.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.5

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 5 Birth within 7 days.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 6 Birth less than 37 weeks' gestation.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.6

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 6 Birth less than 37 weeks' gestation.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 7 Maternal death.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.7

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 7 Maternal death.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 8 Pulmonary oedema.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.8

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 8 Pulmonary oedema.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 9 Cardiac arrhythmias.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.9

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 9 Cardiac arrhythmias.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 10 Myocardial ischemia.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.10

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 10 Myocardial ischemia.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 11 Hypotension.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.11

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 11 Hypotension.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 12 Cessation of treatment due to adverse drug reaction.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.12

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 12 Cessation of treatment due to adverse drug reaction.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 13 Palpitation.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.13

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 13 Palpitation.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 14 Tachycardia.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.14

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 14 Tachycardia.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 15 Chest pain.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.15

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 15 Chest pain.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 16 Dyspnoea.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.16

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 16 Dyspnoea.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 17 Tremor.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.17

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 17 Tremor.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 18 Hyperglycaemia.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.18

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 18 Hyperglycaemia.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 19 Hypokalaemia.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.19

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 19 Hypokalaemia.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 20 Nausea or vomiting.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.20

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 20 Nausea or vomiting.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 21 Nasal stuffiness.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.21

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 21 Nasal stuffiness.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 22 Headaches.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.22

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 22 Headaches.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 23 Neonatal death.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.23

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 23 Neonatal death.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 24 Infant death.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.24

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 24 Infant death.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 25 Necrotising enterocolitis.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.25

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 25 Necrotising enterocolitis.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 26 Sepsis or infection.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.26

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 26 Sepsis or infection.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 27 Fetal hypoglycaemia.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.27

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 27 Fetal hypoglycaemia.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 28 Fetal tachycardia.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.28

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 28 Fetal tachycardia.

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 29 Infant long‐term neurological development (Bayley score: Psychomotor development).
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.29

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 29 Infant long‐term neurological development (Bayley score: Psychomotor development).

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 30 Infant long‐term neurological development (Bayley score: Mental development).
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.30

Comparison 1 All betamimetics versus placebo, Outcome 30 Infant long‐term neurological development (Bayley score: Mental development).

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 1 Birth within 48 hours.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.1

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 1 Birth within 48 hours.

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 2 Perinatal death.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.2

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 2 Perinatal death.

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 3 Respiratory distress syndrome.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.3

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 3 Respiratory distress syndrome.

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 4 Birth within 7 days.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.4

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 4 Birth within 7 days.

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 5 Birth less than 28 weeks' gestation.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.5

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 5 Birth less than 28 weeks' gestation.

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 6 Cessation of treatment due to adverse drug reactions.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.6

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 6 Cessation of treatment due to adverse drug reactions.

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 7 Any maternal adverse effects.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.7

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 7 Any maternal adverse effects.

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 8 Chest pain.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.8

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 8 Chest pain.

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 9 Shortness of breath or dyspnea.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.9

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 9 Shortness of breath or dyspnea.

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 10 Hyperglycaemia or abnormal glucose tolerance test.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.10

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 10 Hyperglycaemia or abnormal glucose tolerance test.

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 11 Palpitations.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.11

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 11 Palpitations.

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 12 Tachycardia.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.12

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 12 Tachycardia.

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 13 Arrhythmia.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.13

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 13 Arrhythmia.

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 14 Hypotension.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.14

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 14 Hypotension.

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 15 Nausea or vomiting.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.15

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 15 Nausea or vomiting.

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 16 Headache.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.16

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 16 Headache.

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 17 Anxiety.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.17

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 17 Anxiety.

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 18 Necrotising enterocolitis.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.18

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 18 Necrotising enterocolitis.

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 19 Neonatal death.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.19

Comparison 2 Terbutaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 19 Neonatal death.

Comparison 3 Fenoterol versus ritodrine, Outcome 1 Perinatal death.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 3.1

Comparison 3 Fenoterol versus ritodrine, Outcome 1 Perinatal death.

Comparison 3 Fenoterol versus ritodrine, Outcome 2 Respiratory distress syndrome.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 3.2

Comparison 3 Fenoterol versus ritodrine, Outcome 2 Respiratory distress syndrome.

Comparison 3 Fenoterol versus ritodrine, Outcome 3 Tachycardia.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 3.3

Comparison 3 Fenoterol versus ritodrine, Outcome 3 Tachycardia.

Comparison 3 Fenoterol versus ritodrine, Outcome 4 Hypoglycaemia.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 3.4

Comparison 3 Fenoterol versus ritodrine, Outcome 4 Hypoglycaemia.

Comparison 3 Fenoterol versus ritodrine, Outcome 5 Fetal bradycardia.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 3.5

Comparison 3 Fenoterol versus ritodrine, Outcome 5 Fetal bradycardia.

Comparison 3 Fenoterol versus ritodrine, Outcome 6 Neonatal death.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 3.6

Comparison 3 Fenoterol versus ritodrine, Outcome 6 Neonatal death.

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 1 Birth within 48 hours.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 4.1

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 1 Birth within 48 hours.

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 2 Respiratory distress syndrome.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 4.2

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 2 Respiratory distress syndrome.

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 3 Periventricular haemorrhage grade 3‐4.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 4.3

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 3 Periventricular haemorrhage grade 3‐4.

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 4 Birth less than 34 weeks.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 4.4

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 4 Birth less than 34 weeks.

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 5 Birth less than 37 weeks.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 4.5

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 5 Birth less than 37 weeks.

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 6 Any maternal adverse effects.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 4.6

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 6 Any maternal adverse effects.

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 7 Palpitations.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 4.7

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 7 Palpitations.

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 8 Tachycardia.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 4.8

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 8 Tachycardia.

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 9 Nausea or vomiting.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 4.9

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 9 Nausea or vomiting.

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 10 Headache.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 4.10

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 10 Headache.

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 11 Sepsis.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 4.11

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 11 Sepsis.

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 12 Neonatal death.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 4.12

Comparison 4 Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose, Outcome 12 Neonatal death.

Comparison 5 Hexoprenaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 1 Cessation of treatment due to adverse drug reactions.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 5.1

Comparison 5 Hexoprenaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 1 Cessation of treatment due to adverse drug reactions.

Comparison 5 Hexoprenaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 2 Any maternal adverse effects.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 5.2

Comparison 5 Hexoprenaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 2 Any maternal adverse effects.

Comparison 5 Hexoprenaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 3 Palpitations.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 5.3

Comparison 5 Hexoprenaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 3 Palpitations.

Comparison 5 Hexoprenaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 4 Hypotension.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 5.4

Comparison 5 Hexoprenaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 4 Hypotension.

Comparison 5 Hexoprenaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 5 Nausea or vomiting.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 5.5

Comparison 5 Hexoprenaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 5 Nausea or vomiting.

Comparison 5 Hexoprenaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 6 Increase in fetal heart rate.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 5.6

Comparison 5 Hexoprenaline versus ritodrine, Outcome 6 Increase in fetal heart rate.

Comparison 6 Hexoprenaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 1 Respiratory distress syndrome.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 6.1

Comparison 6 Hexoprenaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 1 Respiratory distress syndrome.

Comparison 6 Hexoprenaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 2 Cessation of treatment due to adverse drug reactions.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 6.2

Comparison 6 Hexoprenaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 2 Cessation of treatment due to adverse drug reactions.

Comparison 6 Hexoprenaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 3 Any maternal adverse effects.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 6.3

Comparison 6 Hexoprenaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 3 Any maternal adverse effects.

Comparison 6 Hexoprenaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 4 Tachycardia.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 6.4

Comparison 6 Hexoprenaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 4 Tachycardia.

Comparison 6 Hexoprenaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 5 Nausea or vomiting.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 6.5

Comparison 6 Hexoprenaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 5 Nausea or vomiting.

Comparison 6 Hexoprenaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 6 Headache.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 6.6

Comparison 6 Hexoprenaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 6 Headache.

Comparison 6 Hexoprenaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 7 Tremor.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 6.7

Comparison 6 Hexoprenaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 7 Tremor.

Comparison 7 Terbutaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 1 BIrth within 48 hours.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 7.1

Comparison 7 Terbutaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 1 BIrth within 48 hours.

Comparison 7 Terbutaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 2 Side effects (overall).
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 7.2

Comparison 7 Terbutaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 2 Side effects (overall).

Comparison 7 Terbutaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 3 Tachycardia.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 7.3

Comparison 7 Terbutaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 3 Tachycardia.

Comparison 7 Terbutaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 4 Dyspnea.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 7.4

Comparison 7 Terbutaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 4 Dyspnea.

Comparison 7 Terbutaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 5 Nausea.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 7.5

Comparison 7 Terbutaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 5 Nausea.

Comparison 7 Terbutaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 6 Anxiety.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 7.6

Comparison 7 Terbutaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 6 Anxiety.

Comparison 7 Terbutaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 7 Chills.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 7.7

Comparison 7 Terbutaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 7 Chills.

Comparison 7 Terbutaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 8 Oedema.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 7.8

Comparison 7 Terbutaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 8 Oedema.

Comparison 7 Terbutaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 9 Duration of hospital admission (days).
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 7.9

Comparison 7 Terbutaline versus salbutamol, Outcome 9 Duration of hospital admission (days).

Comparison 8 Slow release versus normal release salbutamol, Outcome 1 Preterm birth (before 37 weeks).
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 8.1

Comparison 8 Slow release versus normal release salbutamol, Outcome 1 Preterm birth (before 37 weeks).

Comparison 8 Slow release versus normal release salbutamol, Outcome 2 Caesarean section.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 8.2

Comparison 8 Slow release versus normal release salbutamol, Outcome 2 Caesarean section.

Comparison 8 Slow release versus normal release salbutamol, Outcome 3 Side effects leading to discontinuation of treatment.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 8.3

Comparison 8 Slow release versus normal release salbutamol, Outcome 3 Side effects leading to discontinuation of treatment.

Comparison 8 Slow release versus normal release salbutamol, Outcome 4 Nausea.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 8.4

Comparison 8 Slow release versus normal release salbutamol, Outcome 4 Nausea.

Comparison 8 Slow release versus normal release salbutamol, Outcome 5 Apgar score less than 7 at 5 minutes.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 8.5

Comparison 8 Slow release versus normal release salbutamol, Outcome 5 Apgar score less than 7 at 5 minutes.

Comparison 1. All betamimetics versus placebo

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 Birth within 48 hours of treatment Show forest plot

10

1209

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.68 [0.53, 0.88]

2 Perinatal death (7 days) Show forest plot

11

1332

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.84 [0.46, 1.55]

3 Respiratory distress syndrome Show forest plot

8

1239

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.87 [0.71, 1.08]

4 Cerebral palsy Show forest plot

1

246

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.19 [0.02, 1.63]

5 Birth within 7 days Show forest plot

5

911

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.80 [0.65, 0.98]

6 Birth less than 37 weeks' gestation Show forest plot

10

1212

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.95 [0.88, 1.03]

7 Maternal death Show forest plot

2

907

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.0 [0.0, 0.0]

8 Pulmonary oedema Show forest plot

3

852

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

3.03 [0.12, 74.23]

9 Cardiac arrhythmias Show forest plot

1

708

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

3.54 [0.74, 16.92]

10 Myocardial ischemia Show forest plot

1

106

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

12.53 [0.72, 216.91]

11 Hypotension Show forest plot

2

136

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

1.56 [0.12, 20.86]

12 Cessation of treatment due to adverse drug reaction Show forest plot

5

1081

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

11.38 [5.21, 24.86]

13 Palpitation Show forest plot

5

1089

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

9.91 [6.46, 15.20]

14 Tachycardia Show forest plot

2

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

Subtotals only

15 Chest pain Show forest plot

2

814

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

11.29 [3.81, 33.46]

16 Dyspnoea Show forest plot

2

814

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

3.86 [2.21, 6.77]

17 Tremor Show forest plot

1

708

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

10.74 [6.20, 18.59]

18 Hyperglycaemia Show forest plot

1

708

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

2.90 [2.05, 4.09]

19 Hypokalaemia Show forest plot

1

708

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

6.07 [4.00, 9.20]

20 Nausea or vomiting Show forest plot

3

932

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.76 [1.29, 2.42]

21 Nasal stuffiness Show forest plot

1

708

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

2.90 [1.64, 5.12]

22 Headaches Show forest plot

3

936

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

4.07 [2.60, 6.35]

23 Neonatal death Show forest plot

6

1174

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

0.90 [0.27, 3.00]

24 Infant death Show forest plot

1

750

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.51 [0.05, 5.64]

25 Necrotising enterocolitis Show forest plot

2

149

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.42 [0.06, 2.78]

26 Sepsis or infection Show forest plot

2

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

Subtotals only

27 Fetal hypoglycaemia Show forest plot

3

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)

Subtotals only

28 Fetal tachycardia Show forest plot

1

30

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

2.4 [1.12, 5.13]

29 Infant long‐term neurological development (Bayley score: Psychomotor development) Show forest plot

1

246

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.30 [‐2.74, 5.34]

30 Infant long‐term neurological development (Bayley score: Mental development) Show forest plot

1

246

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

5.20 [0.56, 9.84]

Figuras y tablas -
Comparison 1. All betamimetics versus placebo
Comparison 2. Terbutaline versus ritodrine

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 Birth within 48 hours Show forest plot

1

83

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

2.05 [0.77, 5.48]

2 Perinatal death Show forest plot

1

83

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.0 [0.0, 0.0]

3 Respiratory distress syndrome Show forest plot

1

101

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.99 [0.93, 4.27]

4 Birth within 7 days Show forest plot

1

100

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.80 [0.57, 1.10]

5 Birth less than 28 weeks' gestation Show forest plot

1

100

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

2.08 [0.55, 7.87]

6 Cessation of treatment due to adverse drug reactions Show forest plot

1

100

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.83 [0.24, 2.92]

7 Any maternal adverse effects Show forest plot

1

83

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.95 [0.84, 1.07]

8 Chest pain Show forest plot

2

183

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.11 [0.55, 2.25]

9 Shortness of breath or dyspnea Show forest plot

2

183

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.83 [0.41, 1.67]

10 Hyperglycaemia or abnormal glucose tolerance test Show forest plot

1

100

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.78 [1.05, 3.03]

11 Palpitations Show forest plot

1

83

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.18 [0.78, 1.79]

12 Tachycardia Show forest plot

1

100

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.66 [0.43, 1.00]

13 Arrhythmia Show forest plot

1

100

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.35 [0.04, 3.22]

14 Hypotension Show forest plot

2

183

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.00 [0.67, 1.49]

15 Nausea or vomiting Show forest plot

1

100

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.50 [0.71, 3.20]

16 Headache Show forest plot

1

83

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.48 [0.23, 0.99]

17 Anxiety Show forest plot

1

83

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.08 [0.67, 1.75]

18 Necrotising enterocolitis Show forest plot

1

101

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.53 [0.05, 5.67]

19 Neonatal death Show forest plot

2

184

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.27 [0.42, 3.91]

Figuras y tablas -
Comparison 2. Terbutaline versus ritodrine
Comparison 3. Fenoterol versus ritodrine

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 Perinatal death Show forest plot

1

98

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.11 [0.01, 2.01]

2 Respiratory distress syndrome Show forest plot

1

98

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

2.0 [0.38, 10.42]

3 Tachycardia Show forest plot

1

96

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.71 [0.35, 1.45]

4 Hypoglycaemia Show forest plot

1

98

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.33 [0.31, 5.65]

5 Fetal bradycardia Show forest plot

1

98

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.0 [0.06, 15.54]

6 Neonatal death Show forest plot

1

98

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.13 [0.02, 0.96]

Figuras y tablas -
Comparison 3. Fenoterol versus ritodrine
Comparison 4. Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 Birth within 48 hours Show forest plot

1

203

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.07 [0.60, 1.91]

2 Respiratory distress syndrome Show forest plot

1

222

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.71 [0.35, 1.41]

3 Periventricular haemorrhage grade 3‐4 Show forest plot

1

222

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.14 [0.01, 2.73]

4 Birth less than 34 weeks Show forest plot

1

203

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.01 [0.70, 1.45]

5 Birth less than 37 weeks Show forest plot

1

203

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.82 [0.60, 1.13]

6 Any maternal adverse effects Show forest plot

1

203

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.69 [0.43, 1.11]

7 Palpitations Show forest plot

1

203

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.50 [0.23, 1.13]

8 Tachycardia Show forest plot

1

203

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.88 [0.33, 2.35]

9 Nausea or vomiting Show forest plot

1

203

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.21 [0.38, 3.84]

10 Headache Show forest plot

1

203

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.01 [0.06, 15.93]

11 Sepsis Show forest plot

1

222

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.71 [0.23, 2.18]

12 Neonatal death Show forest plot

1

222

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.11 [0.01, 2.04]

Figuras y tablas -
Comparison 4. Ritodrine loading dose versus incremental dose
Comparison 5. Hexoprenaline versus ritodrine

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 Cessation of treatment due to adverse drug reactions Show forest plot

1

466

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.28 [0.08, 0.93]

2 Any maternal adverse effects Show forest plot

1

466

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.83 [0.76, 0.91]

3 Palpitations Show forest plot

1

466

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.75 [0.60, 0.94]

4 Hypotension Show forest plot

1

466

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.77 [0.61, 0.96]

5 Nausea or vomiting Show forest plot

1

466

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.63 [0.45, 0.89]

6 Increase in fetal heart rate Show forest plot

1

466

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.74 [0.56, 0.98]

Figuras y tablas -
Comparison 5. Hexoprenaline versus ritodrine
Comparison 6. Hexoprenaline versus salbutamol

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 Respiratory distress syndrome Show forest plot

1

140

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.75 [0.54, 5.71]

2 Cessation of treatment due to adverse drug reactions Show forest plot

1

140

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.0 [0.06, 15.67]

3 Any maternal adverse effects Show forest plot

1

140

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.38 [0.18, 0.80]

4 Tachycardia Show forest plot

1

140

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.11 [0.01, 0.85]

5 Nausea or vomiting Show forest plot

1

140

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.0 [0.34, 2.95]

6 Headache Show forest plot

1

140

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.33 [0.04, 3.13]

7 Tremor Show forest plot

1

140

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.14 [0.01, 2.72]

Figuras y tablas -
Comparison 6. Hexoprenaline versus salbutamol
Comparison 7. Terbutaline versus salbutamol

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 BIrth within 48 hours Show forest plot

1

200

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.63 [0.21, 1.84]

2 Side effects (overall) Show forest plot

1

200

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.54 [0.42, 0.70]

3 Tachycardia Show forest plot

1

200

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.48 [0.30, 0.75]

4 Dyspnea Show forest plot

1

200

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.42 [0.15, 1.14]

5 Nausea Show forest plot

1

200

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.66 [0.39, 1.09]

6 Anxiety Show forest plot

1

200

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.48 [0.28, 0.84]

7 Chills Show forest plot

1

200

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.48 [0.34, 0.69]

8 Oedema Show forest plot

1

200

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.75 [0.17, 3.27]

9 Duration of hospital admission (days) Show forest plot

1

200

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

‐0.80 [‐1.19, ‐0.41]

Figuras y tablas -
Comparison 7. Terbutaline versus salbutamol
Comparison 8. Slow release versus normal release salbutamol

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 Preterm birth (before 37 weeks) Show forest plot

1

52

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

2.57 [0.29, 23.13]

2 Caesarean section Show forest plot

1

52

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.29 [0.23, 7.07]

3 Side effects leading to discontinuation of treatment Show forest plot

1

52

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.0 [0.0, 0.0]

4 Nausea Show forest plot

1

52

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.86 [0.06, 12.98]

5 Apgar score less than 7 at 5 minutes Show forest plot

1

52

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.0 [0.0, 0.0]

Figuras y tablas -
Comparison 8. Slow release versus normal release salbutamol