A study of intravaginal misoprostol for induction of labor in toxemia of pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy and complications of intravaginal misoprostol for induction of labor in patients with and without toxemia of pregnancy.


METHODS
Forty-two patients with toxemia of pregnancy (group 1) and 59 women at term without toxemia (group 2) with Bishop scores of < or = 6 were treated with 50 microg intravaginal misoprostol given four times at 4-h intervals. Labor and neonatal outcomes, and any complications, were recorded. Mann-Whitney U-, Student's t- and chi(2)-tests were used for statistical analyses. P < or = 0.05 was considered significant.


RESULTS
The rates of vaginal delivery were 73.8% and 84.6%, oxytocin augmentation were 4.8% and 5.1% and the mean insertion to delivery times were 12.5 and 13.8 h in group 1 and 2, respectively, with no significant differences between the groups. Neonatal outcomes, rates of uterine contraction abnormalities and gastrointestinal symptoms were similar in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravaginal misoprostol is an equally effective and safe method of induction of labor in patients with toxemia of pregnancy and in normal pregnant women.
Sahin
H G
HG
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Yuzuncu Yil, Medical Faculty, Van, Turkey. drsahin@yahoo.com
Sahin
H A
HA
Surucu
R
R
Guvercinci
M
M
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007747:Labor Stage, First / Q000187:drug effects; D007751:Labor, Induced; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000139:chemically induced; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010298:Parity; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
D010120:Oxytocics; D016595:Misoprostol