Comparison of oral misoprostol with intravenous oxytocin for induction of labour in premature rupture of membranes

Abstract

Introduction: To compare the effectiveness of oral misoprostol with intravenous oxytocin for induction of labor in premature rupture of membranes (PROM) at term.

Methods: This randomized comparative study was carried out in 100 women who were at or beyond 37 weeks of gestation with cephalic presentation, had PROM more than 12 hours with bishop’s score less than six. Out of 100 women 50 were induced with 50 μg of oral misoprostol 4 hours apart (max 6 doses) and other 50 received intravenous oxytocin infusion (max 3 pints).

Results: The parity, mean bishop’s score of two groups were comparable. Both misoprostol and oxytocin group showed similar induction to delivery interval (8.68 hrs ± 3.22hours vs. 7.61hours ± 2.84hours, P value was 0.08). Maximum number (52%) of patient’s responded to single dose of misoprostol in misoprostol group. Whereas in oxytocin group 40% of primigravidae required 10 units and 47% of multigravidae required 2.5 units of oxytocin. Majority of women in both the groups delivered vaginally but oxytocin group had slightly increased number of LSCS and one instrumental delivery. Meconium stained liquor was seen more in oxytocin group than misoprostol. Neonatal outcome was comparable in both groups.

Conclusion: Oral misoprostol was as effective as oxytocin in induction of labour in term PROM with low bishop’s score.