NYMC Faculty Publications
Randomized Control Trial of Intravenous Acetaminophen for Reduction of Intrapartum Maternal Fever
Author Type(s)
Faculty
DOI
10.1016/j.ajogmf.2020.100287
Journal Title
American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM
First Page
100287
Last Page
100287
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-2021
Department
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Intravenous acetaminophen reaches a higher mean peak plasma concentration than oral acetaminophen in a shorter period of time. The favorable pharmacokinetics of intravenous acetaminophen may be beneficial for treating intrapartum maternal fever.
OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to compare intravenous and oral acetaminophen in time to defervescence (temperature
STUDY DESIGN: This was a randomized, comparator-controlled, double-dummy, double-blind clinical trial. At the onset of intrapartum fever ≥38°C, patients ≥36 weeks' gestation were either randomized to the control or experimental study arm. Patients in the control arm received 1000 mg of oral acetaminophen capsules and an intravenous placebo resembling intravenous acetaminophen. Patients randomized to the experimental arm received 1000 mg of intravenous acetaminophen and oral placebo capsules resembling acetaminophen. Maternal temperatures and fetal heart rates were recorded at consecutive intervals following administration of the first dose of acetaminophen. Maternal blood, collected at the onset of fever and after delivery, and neonatal cord blood collected at delivery were evaluated for oxidative stress (glutathione levels), levels of RANTES and cytokines (interferon-δ, interleukin 1β, interleukin 2, interleukin 4, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, interleukin 10, interleukin 13, and tumor necrosis factor-α). Placentas were collected for pathologic review. A P value of
RESULTS: A total of 121 patients (55 in the intravenous and 66 in the oral group) were recruited from December 1, 2016, to February 28, 2018. Patient demographics and intrapartum factors were similar between both arms. The intravenous group showed a mean time of 54.86 minutes (95% confidence interval, 20.57-39.43) to defervescence vs 52.58 minutes (95% confidence interval, 16.58-43.42) in the oral group (P=.71). In addition, intravenous and oral acetaminophen showed similar results in percentage of patients being afebrile and percent reduction in maternal temperature 30 minutes after administration of the first dose. Histopathological findings, neonatal outcomes, oxidative stress markers, and RANTES and cytokine levels were not statistically significant between intravenous and oral acetaminophen groups.
CONCLUSION: Intravenous acetaminophen did not demonstrate a higher efficacy than oral acetaminophen in treating intrapartum maternal fever. Select patients may benefit from intravenous acetaminophen for treatment of intrapartum fever, including those who cannot tolerate oral medication.
Recommended Citation
Mehraban, S., Nematian, S., Mehraban, S. S., Petrucci, S., Tricorico, G., Parnas, Z., Shats, L., Kanninen, T., Moretti, M., Cabbad, M., & Lakhi, N. (2021). Randomized Control Trial of Intravenous Acetaminophen for Reduction of Intrapartum Maternal Fever. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM, 3 (1), 100287-100287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajogmf.2020.100287