The New Indian Journal of OBGYN 2(2)
A comparative study on rectal misoprostol versus intramuscular oxytocin to prevent postpartum haemorrhage
Bijoy Kumar Dutta, Komal Rani Gupta
ABSTRACT
Objective: To see the efficacy of rectal misoprostol in comparison to intramuscular oxytocin in prevention of postpartum haemorrhage in low risk patient. Methodology: A prospective, double-blind study carried out for a period of 1 year. 400 cases had been taken for the study, which were divided randomly into two groups containing 200 cases each. ie. Group A (600 μgm misoprostol rectally given immediately following delivery of baby) and Group B (10 IU of oxytocin given intramuscularly immediately after delivery). The personal information and medical data of the selected cases were collected in structured proforma. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 15.0. Results: The mean third stage blood loss was 185±84.42 ml and 168±68.38ml in misoprostol group and oxytocin group respectively with significant difference (p<0.05). Mean change in Hb% (gm/dl) pre and post delivery was 0.89±0.32SD (gm/dl) in misoprostol group and 0.83±0.28SD (gm/dl) in oxytocin group (p>0.05). Incidence of PPH was 3% and 2% in group A and group B respectively (p>0.05). Shivering, pyrexia was found more in misoprostol group than oxytocin with the incidence being 20.5% versus 2% (shivering) and 8.5% versus 0.5% (pyrexia) respectively. Conclusion: It is observed that the misoprostol 600μg rectally is less effective than intramuscular oxytocin 10 IU when used as prophylactic uterotonic during the active management of third stage of labour.