To compare the safety and efficacy of two different regimens of misoprostol for labor induction at term, we conducted a randomized
controlled trial on women presenting for induction of labor at >37 weeks’ gestation. Eligible women were randomized to receive
intra-vaginal misoprostol 50 µg every 4 h or 100 µg every 6 h until any of the following: 1) adequate contraction pattern
(3 contractions/10 min); 2) dilatation >3 cm; 3) artificial rupture of membranes; or 4) signs of uterine hyperstimulation.
Use of oxytocin during labor was at the discretion of the managing clinician. The main outcome variable considered for analysis
was cesarean section rate. Secondary outcome measures were induction to delivery interval and neonatal outcome (Apgar scores,
meconium staining, and umbilical artery pH). A total of 58 women were randomized to receive either misoprostol 100 µg (
n=26) or 50 µg (
n=32). The 100 and 50 µg groups had similar mean Bishop’s scores at induction (4.0±2.3 vs 4.1±2.2,
p=0.87), rates of nulliparity, use of epidural anesthesia, and oxytocin augmentation. The number of doses of misoprostol used
was similar in the two groups (1.4±0.6 vs 1.8±1.2). The mean±standard deviation time to delivery (hours) (11.9± 7.3 vs 14.3±9.6
h,
p=0.30) and cesarean section rate (35% vs 19%,
p=0.30, relative risk: 1.8, 95% confidence interval 0.7–5.4) were not different in the 100 vs 50 µg group. Power analysis demonstrated
that 132 women would be required in each group to achieve statistical significance in the primary outcome measure (α=0.05,
β=0.80). Similarly, rates of 5-minute Apgar scores <7 (4% vs 3%,
p=1.0), and of meconium passage (17% vs 25%,
p=0.73) were not significantly different between the two groups.
Keywords Misoprostol - Labor induction - Prostaglandins
Received: 20 January 2001 / Accepted: 7 March 2001