title: A comparison of prophylactic intramuscular ergometrine and oxytocin for women in the third stage of labor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy and adverse effects of ergometrine and oxytocin given intramuscularly for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage during the third stage of labor.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included women with a singleton pregnancy of at least 28 weeks' gestation who had a vaginal delivery. High-risk pregnancies were excluded. Oxytocin (10 IU) or ergometrine (0.5mg) were administered intramuscularly in a blinded pattern immediately after delivery of the infant. An intention-to-treat analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postpartum blood loss (301.8 ± 109.2 mL versus 287.1 ± 84.4 mL, P=0.011) and packed cell volume (30.7 ± 1.7% versus 31.6 ± 2.0%; Z=0.00; P=0.008) were considerably reduced among parturients who received intramuscular ergometrine. The rates of therapeutic oxytocics use, blood transfusion, placental retention, and manual removal of the placenta were significantly higher in the oxytocin group. No significant differences between the groups were observed in terms of adverse effects, with the exception of diastolic hypertension, which was more common in the ergometrine group (odds ratio, 0.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.00-0.75; P=0.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intramuscular ergometrine is superior to intramuscular oxytocin in averting postpartum hemorrhage during the third stage of labor. There are no significant risks of adverse effects except for diastolic hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Chukwuemeka O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Ezeama
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria. Electronic address: georgel21@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: George U
authors.initials: GU
authors.lastname: Eleje
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Nkiru N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Ezeama
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Anthony O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Igwegbe
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Joseph I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Ikechebelu
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Joseph O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Ugboaja
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anambra State University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ifeanyichukwu U
authors.initials: IU
authors.lastname: Ezebialu
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michigan State University/Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, USA.
authors.forename: Ahizechukwu C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Eke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004874:Ergonovine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007749:Labor Stage, Third / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010120:Oxytocics; D010121:Oxytocin; D004874:Ergonovine
keywords: Adverse effects; Diastolic hypertension; Ergometrine; Intramuscular; Oxytocin; Postpartum hemorrhage; Prevention