Oral Misoprostol for the Induction of Labor: Comparison of Different Dosage Schemes With Respect to Maternal and Fetal Outcome in Patients Beyond 34 Weeks of Pregnancy

Background/Aim: Labor is induced in 1 out of 5 pregnancies. This is why we aimed to compare two different protocols of orally administered misoprostol for the induction of labor (IOL), with special regard to maternal and fetal outcome, delivery mode and duration. Patients and Methods: One hundred and twenty four patients with a medical indication for IOL were divided into two groups: Group A (n=63), which initially received 50 ,ug misoprostol escalated to 100 and, subsequently, to 200 ,ug every 4 h with a daily maximum of 600,ug, between 11/2007 and 01/2008; and Group B (n=61), which initially received 25 ,ug misoprostol followed by 100 ,ug every 4 h with a daily maximum of 300 ,ug, between 12/2009 and 04/2010. Results: The mean administration-delivery interval was significantly lower in Group A (19.0 h) compared to Group B (27.1 h, p<0.05). Overall caesarean section rate, average birth weight, APGAR score, umbilical cord pH and meconiumstained fluid rates were similar between both groups. Conclusion: A higher dosage protocol of orally administered misoprostol significantly reduces the mean induction-delivery interval without increasing the risk for an adverse maternal or fetal outcome.