title: A comparison of two regimens of intravaginal misoprostol for termination of second trimester pregnancy: a randomized comparative trial.
abstract: A prospective randomized trial was conducted in 148 women to compare the efficacy of two regimens of vaginal misoprostol for termination of second trimester pregnancy. Women aged 16-40 years requesting termination of second trimester pregnancy were randomized into two groups. Women in group 1 were given vaginal misoprostol 400 microg every 3 h for a maximum of five doses in 24 h. Women in group 2 were given vaginal misoprostol 400 microg every 6 h for a maximum of three doses in 24 h. If women did not abort in 24 h, the same regimen was repeated. The median induction-abortion interval in group 1 (15.2 h) was significantly shorter (P < 0.01) than that in the group 2 (19.0 h). The percentage of women who achieved successful abortion within 48 h in group 1 (90.5%) was also significantly higher (P < 0.02) than that in group 2 (75.7%). The incidence of fever was more common in group 1 (P = 0.01). It is concluded that the regimen of vaginal misoprostol 400 microg every 3 h with maximum of five doses in 24 h was more effective than the regimen of misoprostol every 6 h in termination of second trimester pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Ngai
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second
chemical_list: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D016595:Misoprostol