A randomised comparative study of induction of labour with sublingual misoprostol 50 μg and oral misoprostol 50 μg in term patients

Abstract

Background: Current study was conducted to compare the efficacy of tab Misoprostol 50 microgram by oral and sublingual routes for induction of labour. Methods: A randomised comparative study of induction of labour in 200 cases of pregnant women at term and were divided into two groups of 100 each for 50 µg Misoprostol for oral and sublingual route repeated 4 hourly either by sublingual or oral route until an adequate contraction pattern set in (establishment of 3 uterine contractions in a period of 10 minutes) or once the cervical dilatation reaches 4 cm, maximum up to 6 doses. The patients were monitored for maternal vital signs, progress of labour and foetal heart rate. Results: In this study, 86% women delivered vaginally with sublingual misoprostol while 76% were delivered vaginally with oral administration. In the present study, no significant maternal side effects were noted in either group. 4% cases of neonates in sublingual group and 6% cases of neonates in oral group required NICU admission. No still birth or neonatal deaths were seen. Conclusions: Our study shows that sublingual Misoprostol has better efficacy, shorter induction to delivery interval, requirement of fewer doses of misoprostol when compared to oral route.