Comparison of two dosing regimens of vaginal misoprostol for labour induction: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE To compare the clinical efficacy of two different dosing regimens of vaginal misoprostol for labour induction. MATERIAL AND METHODS This is an open label randomised controlled trial of 100 eligible women with obstetrical or medical indications for labour induction at a secondary level care hospital on the west coast of India. Women were randomised to receive either a single 50 μg dose or multiple 25 μg doses (maximum of three doses) of misoprostol in the posterior vaginal fornix. The main outcome measure was induction to vaginal delivery interval. RESULTS Mean induction delivery interval was 18.58±13.73 and 14.42±13.2 hours (P=0.73) in the 50 μg and 25 μg misoprostol group respectively. Delivery rate within 24 hours were 60% (30/50), in 50 μg group and 68% (34/50) in 25 μg group (P=0.53). The rates of caesarean section and operative vaginal delivery were similar in both groups. There was no significant difference in maternal side effects and neonatal outcome among regimens. CONCLUSION There was no statistically significant difference between the two regimens in terms of clinical efficacy.