Oral misoprostol vs. placebo in the management of prelabor rupture of membranes at term. |
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Authors: | R A Hoffmann J Anthony S Fawcus |
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Institution: | Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. risa.hoffmann@hotmail.com |
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Abstract: | OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of oral misoprostol for the induction of labor (IOL) in women with prelabor rupture of membranes at term (PROM) and to monitor maternal or fetal complications. METHOD: This randomized, placebo controlled trial was performed in a secondary referral hospital. The data of 47 patients in the misoprostol--and 49 patients in the placebo group was available for analysis. The former received 100 microg misoprostol orally, repeated once after 6 h if not in active labor, the latter received two doses of vitamin C also after a 6-h interval. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used for analysis. RESULTS: The median treatment to delivery interval in the misoprostol group was 7.5 h and 25 h in the placebo group (P<0.001). No significant differences were found in the incidence of abnormalities on the cardiotocograph, mode of delivery, neonatal outcome, use of antibiotics for the mothers and patient acceptability. CONCLUSION: Oral misoprostol in the suggested dose is an effective and cheap alternative for IOL in patients with PROM. No adverse effects could be demonstrated. |
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