Therapeutic termination of second trimester pregnancies with intrauterine fetal death with 400 micrograms of oral misoprostol.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the efficacy and maternal side-effects of oral misoprostol for second trimester termination of pregnancies with intrauterine fetal death.

METHODS:

A prospective descriptive study was conducted on 63 pregnant women who had intrauterine fetal death with unfavorable cervix (Bishop scores </=4). All received 400 micro g of misoprostol orally every 4 h until favorable cervix was achieved. Main outcome measures included success rate of termination within 12, 24, 36 and 48 h, mean induction to delivery time and maternal side-effects.

RESULTS:

The success rates of termination within 12, 24, 36, 48 h were 50.8%, 84.1%, 88.9% and 92.1%, respectively. Mean induction to delivery time in cases of delivery within 48 h was 13.2 +/- 8.4 h, range 2.25-22.9 h. The most common maternal side-effect was chill (33.3%). No serious maternal complication was detected.

CONCLUSION:

400 micro g oral misoprostol every 4 h is effective for pregnancy termination in cases of intrauterine fetal death and may be an alternative regimen because of its ease and convenience.

• Authors: Saipin Pongsatha, Theera Tongsong
• Journal: The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research (J Obstet Gynaecol Res) Vol. 30 Issue 3 Pg. 217-20 (Jun 2004) ISSN: 1341-8076 [Print] Australia
• PMID: 15210046 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal
• Misoprostol

Topics

• Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal (administration & dosage)
• Abortion, Therapeutic (methods)
• Administration, Oral
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Female
• Fetal Death
• Humans
• Misoprostol (administration & dosage)
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Trimester, Second
• Prospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome