Comparing the efficacy of intra-amniotic prostaglandin (PG) and oxytocin with rising induction in termination of second trimester pregnancy

Background and Termination of pregnancy in fetus with severe anomaly is legal in Iran. This study was done in order to compare the rate of effectiveness and complications of intra-amniotic PG and oxytocin, with rising induction in patient candidates for second trimester abortion, at Fatemieh Hospital, in Hamadan. In a randomized clinical trial study, 40 pregnant women in their second trimester with fetal CNS anomalies, were divided into two groups (N=20). In the first group, one PG E2 Amp was injected intra-amniotic at first and then, 20 IU oxytocin was infused in 500 ml serum ringer for each patient. The infusion rate was increased up to induced effective concentrations every 15 to 30 minutes. In the second group, 50 IU oxytocin was infused with 1000 ml serum ringer and thereafter, an- other infusion of 50 IU oxytocin was added into the remaining 500 ml of serum. The rate of infusion was regulated on the basis of induced effective concentrations. Finally, both groups were compared for labor duration and probable side effects. The rate of success in both groups was 100%. The mean duration of labor was 19.75±5.9 hours and 30.2±6.49 hours in the group with intra-amniotic PG with oxytocin and rising induction group, respectively. This difference was statistically significant (P<0.00). Diarrhea was seen in only one case with intra-amniotic PG injection. Differences between the frequency of side effects in both groups was not statistically significant. This study showed that the mean duration of laboring intra-amniotic PG with oxytocin method, is less than of rising induction method.