Low Dose Vaginal Misoprostol in the Management of Women with Intrauterine Fetal Death

Abstract

Objectives The study was conducted to assess the effectiveness and side effects of vaginal misoprostol (Vagiprost® tablet) in termination of second and third trimester pregnancy complicated with intrauterine fetal death. Design A prospective observational cohort study. Setting Tanta University Hospital. Patients The study was carried out on 324 women with fetal demise in the second and third trimesters. Cases were collected during the period from January 2008 to December 2009. Intervention All patients were subjected to history taking, physical examination, Bishop Scoring. Application of 25 μg misoprostol in the posterior fornix of the vagina, this will be repeated every 4 hours over 24 hours. The adverse effects, progress, and outcomes were assessed. Results the success rate was 90% and 45% in women with third and second trimesters respectively. The mean induction-termination interval was 8.95 ± 2.63 and 15.3 ± 5.37 hours for women with third and second trimesters respectively. The induction termination interval correlated negatively with the duration of gestation. Approximately, 90% of second trimester and 55% of third trimester women required oxytocin augmentation. The mean value of total required dose of misoprostol was 166.3 ± 7.5 and 120 ± 28.79 μg for women with second and third trimesters respectively. Conclusion Vagiprost appears to be a safe, effective, practical, and inexpensive method for termination of third trimester pregnancy complicated with of intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), its effects increase with parity and duration of gestation.