Publication:

A comparison of sublingual with vaginal administration of misoprostol for induction of labor at term

Background To compare the efficacy and safety of sublingual route of misoprostol with vaginal route of administration.

Methods This study was conducted at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College, Baroda, Gujarat, India. 50 cases each with a singleton term pregnancy and a live fetus requiring induction of labor were allocated to sublingual and vaginal administration of misoprostol. Outcome measures related to labor and maternal and fetal side effects were compared between the 2 groups and evaluated using Chi square test and relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results The sublingual route of misoprostol was associated with a reduced risk of failed induction, reduced time from initiation to induction, reduced induction to delivery interval and a higher incidence of maternal and fetal side effects. However, the differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusions The sublingual route of administration of misoprostol is comparable in efficacy and safety to the vaginal route for induction.