Meperidine for dystocia during the first stage of labor: A randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to evaluate whether the administration of meperidine decreases the length of labor in patients with a diagnosis of dystocia during the first stage of labor.


METHODS
Women with term singleton pregnancies who received a diagnosis of dystocia and required an active management of labor were randomly assigned to receive either 100 mg of meperidine or placebo. The primary outcome measure was length of labor.


RESULTS
Four hundred seven pregnant women were included. There were no significant statistical differences between meperidine and placebo groups in length of labor and operative delivery rates such as forceps and cesarean section by intention-to-treat analysis. Low Apgar scores, umbilical artery acidosis, and admission to neonatal care units were increased in the meperidine group.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of the absence of any benefits in patients with dystocia in labor and the presence of harmful effects on neonatal outcomes, meperidine should not be used during labor for this specific indication.
Sosa
Claudio G
CG
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pereira Rossell Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay. csosa@tulane.edu
Balaguer
Erica
E
Alonso
Justo G
JG
Panizza
Ruben
R
Laborde
Alejandro
A
Berrondo
Conrado
C
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004420:Dystocia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007747:Labor Stage, First / Q000187:drug effects*; D008614:Meperidine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D008614:Meperidine