title: A comparative study of vaginal misoprostol and intravenous oxytocin for induction of labour.
abstract: Fifty-two women who had labour induced by intravenous oxytocin were compared with 404 women in whom labour was induced by vaginal misoprostol (50-150 micrograms). The induction-to-delivery intervals in the oxytocin and misoprostol groups, respectively, had the following durations. With Bishop's score < 6, 24.3 vs. 14.4 h (p = 0.002), with Bishop's score > or = 6, 10.5 vs. 7.6 h (p = 0.02), with ruptured membranes, 8.8 vs. 8.5 h (p = 0.83), and with intact membranes, 19.6 vs. 13.1 h (p = 0.005). The Caesarean delivery rate was 17.3% in the oxytocin group and 8.7% in the misoprostol group (p = 0.09). Maternal complications were few and drug side effects rare. It is concluded that vaginal misoprostol is a valuable and cost-effective alternative to intravenous oxytocin infusion for induction of labour.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Central Hospital, Maputo, Mozambique.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bugalho
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bique
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Machungo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bergström
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007751:Labor, Induced; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D016595:Misoprostol; D010121:Oxytocin