Misoprostol versus oxytocin for the reduction of postpartum blood loss

T. F. Baskett, V. L. Persad, H. J. Clough, D. C. Young

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effect of 400 μg of oral misoprostol with 5 U of intravenous oxytocin in the reduction of postpartum blood loss and prevention of postpartum hemorrhage. Methods: In a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial conducted in a tertiary maternity hospital 622 women received either 400 μg of oral misoprostol or 5 U of intravenous oxytocin after delivery of the anterior shoulder or within 1 min of delivery. The primary outcome was a hematocrit drop of 10% or greater 24 h postpartum. The secondary outcomes were a hemoglobin drop of 30 mg/L or greater, the use of additional oxytocin, an estimated blood loss greater than 1000 mL, manual removal of the placenta, a blood transfusion, and shivering and fever (≥ 38 °C) as adverse effects of misoprostol. Results: There was no difference between the 2 groups regarding the primary outcome (a ≥ 10% hematocrit drop occurred in 3.4% and 3.7% of the participants in the oxytocin and misoprostol groups, P = 0.98). The rate of use of additional oxytocin was higher in the misoprostol group (51% versus 40.5%, P = 0.01). Shivering was confined to the misoprostol group (6.8%), and fever occurred in 12.5% of the women in the misoprostol group and 0.3% of the women in the oxytocin group. Conclusion: The routine use of 400 μg of oral misoprostol was no less effective than 5 U of intravenous oxytocin in reducing blood loss after delivery, as assessed by change in postpartum hematocrit. The adverse effects of misoprostol were mild and self-limiting.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2-5
Number of pages4
JournalInternational Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Volume97
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2007

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by grant N 421 from the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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