Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor for the treatment of ritodrine-induced neutropenia.

We report on three pregnant women with ritodrine-induced neutropenia who were successfully treated with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). The neutropenia occurred after continuous intravenous infusion of ritodrine for preterm labor. Ritodrine was discontinued and G-CSF was administered. Neutrophil counts returned to normal an average of 4.3 days after the administration. No infectious morbidity or adverse side-effects occurred in the mothers or infants. G-CSF is one possible treatment in women with ritodrine-induced neutropenia.