title: Comparison of the efficacy and safety of sublingual misoprostol with that of vaginal misoprostol for labour induction at term.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy and safety of 50 mcg of sublingual misoprostol with 25 mcg of vaginal misoprostol for induction of labour at term.
  
  
  METHODS
  Non blinded randomized prospective control study. 200 women with singleton term pregnancy, admitted for induction of labour, were randomized to receive either 25 mcg of vaginal misoprostol or 50 mcg of sublingual misoprostol. Outcome measures compared were the number of vaginal deliveries, induction-delivery interval, caesarean section for foetal distress, oxytocin for acceleration, number of doses required, side effects and neonatal outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean dose was smaller and induction to delivery interval was significantly shorter in the sublingual group (13.1 ± 4.1 h) compared with the vaginal group (17.9 ± 5.4 h), p value 0.001. There were no statistically significant differences in the other secondary outcome measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  50 mcg of sublingual misoprostol was more effective than and as safe as 25 mcg vaginal misoprostol for labour induction at term.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , St. Johns Medical College Hospital , Bengaluru , India.
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Sheela
authors.affiliation: a Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , St. Johns Medical College Hospital , Bengaluru , India.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: John
authors.affiliation: a Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , St. Johns Medical College Hospital , Bengaluru , India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Preethi
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010120:Oxytocics; D016595:Misoprostol
keywords: Induction of labour; misoprostol; sublingual; vaginal