Induction of labour using low and high dose regimens of prostaglandin E2 vaginal tablets.

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of low dose prostaglandin E2 vaginal tablets with that of high dose in induction of labour. DESIGN A retrospective study. SETTING Abha Maternity Hospital, a teaching hospital in the southern region of Saudia Arabia. PATIENTS The outcome of induction of labour in 73 women induced with 1.5 mg prostaglandin E2 vaginal tablets was compared with those in 168 women induced with 3 mg vaginal tablets. RESULTS There were no statistical significant differences in the success rate, induction-delivery interval, caesarean section rate and Apgar scores between the two groups. There were two incidences of uterine hyperstimulation and two of uterine rupture in the high dose group. These were not statistically significant. Logistic regression analysis showed that the success rate of induction of labour was dependent only on maternal age (P=0.0025) and Bishop score (P=-0.0403) and not on parity, gestational age, birthweight or dose of prostaglandin. CONCLUSION The low dose regimen of 1.5 mg is as efficacious as the high dose regimen of 3 mg prostaglandin E2 vaginal tablets in inducing labour. This implies that using the low dose regimen reduces the cost of induction of labour effectively. Larger prospective randomized studies are needed to confirm this finding.