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 it g dose or multiple 25.8 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 itg and 25 mu g misoprostol group respectively. Delivery rate within 24 hours were 60% (30/50), in 50 eg group and 68% (34/50) in 25 yg 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.