title: [Induction of labor by oral administration of 50 μg of misoprostol: a prospective study in Libreville (Gabon)].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to describe and to analyze the results of our experience in inducing labor with the misoprostol, 50 μg, administered orally.
  
  
  METHODS
  this descriptive prospective study took place at the Josephine-Bongo Maternity Hospital, in Libreville, in Gabon, from 1st January 2007 to 31st December 2009. It included pregnancies with a gestational age greater or equal to 29  weeks of singletons in cephalic presentation. The induction consisted in the administration of one quarter of a misoprostol tablet (that is, a dose of 50 μg) at 6 in the morning, fasting, and repeated every 4 h up to a maximum of five doses. The principal study indicators were epidemiologic characteristics, dose received, duration of labor, and outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  the study included 91 patients, with a mean age of 26  years. On average, women received 1.6 doses of 50 μg of misoprostol, for a mean dose of 78.5 μg. A single dose of 50 μg was sufficient to induce labor for 61 patients (67%), as well as for 69% of patients (34/49) with a parity less than or equal to 1. Delivery occurred within 24 h for 80 patients (88%). Vaginal deliveries accounted for 86% of the births (n = 78 patients). There were five failures (5.5%), no adverse effects, and no maternal complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  our series confirms the effectiveness and good tolerance of 50-μg misoprostol, administered orally. This route has a period of rapid action, is easy to use, and requires no invasive procedures.
authors.affiliation: Maternité Joséphine Bongo d'Owendo BP 3976, Libreville, Gabon. bsimaole@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Boniface
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sima Ole
authors.forename: Sosthèhe
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mayi-Tsonga
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bang Ntamack
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Meye
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005681:Gabon; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D010120:Oxytocics; D016595:Misoprostol