comparison of efficacy and safety of vaginal misoprostol and dinoprostone for labour induction

ABSTRACT

To prove the efficacy of misoprostol for labour induction, to ascertain its safety and to determine the frequency of complications of the vaginal use. An interventional comparative study. April 2004 to March 2005. Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi. The study was conducted for induction of labour at term by using two different kinds of labour induction agents [Dinoprostone and Misoprostol]. A total of 112 women were included in this study. With the vaginal use of these two drugs, data regarding obstetrical, fetal and neonatal outcomes was collected and analyzed. The mean induction to delivery interval was lesser in misoprostol group as compared to dinoprostone group [11.14 +/- 3.47 hrs versus 15.05 +/- 5.21hrs, p-value <0.01]. Cesarean section rate was higher in dinoprostone group as compared to misoprostol group [30.35% vs 21.42%,]. Tachysystole and hyper stimulation were experienced more frequently in misoprostol group but was statistically insignificant [p-value > 0.05]. The Apgar score of neonates in both groups was comparable at one minute [6.96 +/- 1.40 vs 7.18 +/- 1.08, and at 5 minutes [8.48 +/- 0.83 vs 8.66 +/- 0.64] Both misoprostol and dinoprostone appear to be effective agents for labour induction, but misoprostol has shorter induction to delivery interval, requires less oxytocin and has comparable neonatal outcomes: