Hum Reprod. 2004 Feb;19(2):266-71.
A randomized controlled trial comparing medical and expectant management of first trimester miscarriage. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa.bagrateej1@nu. Ac.za We aimed to determine whether outpatient treatment of miscarriage with vaginal misoprostol is more effective than expectant management in reducing the need for surgical evacuation of retained products of conception (ERPC).
Of 131 eligible women with first trimester miscarriage, 104 agreed to randomization to either 600 microg misoprostol or placebo intravaginally. They were assessed the following day and administered a second dose of their allocated treatment if miscarriage was not complete. Those not successful after two doses were seen on day 7, and, if miscarriage was not complete, an ERPC was performed. The success rate of medical management was 88.5% (46/52) compared with 44.2% (23/52) for expectant management. There was no significant difference in success rate (100 versus 85.7%) in women treated with an incomplete miscarriage. Women with early pregnancy failure had a success rate of 87% with misoprostol compared with 29% with expectant management [odds ratio (OR) 15.96; 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.26, 48.37]. The complete miscarriage rate was achieved quicker in the medical group than the expectant group by day 1 (32.7 versus 5.8%) and by day 2 (73.1 versus 13.5%) of treatment. There were no differences in side effects, bleeding duration, analgesia use, pain score and satisfaction with treatment. Women in the expectant group made more outpatient visits (5.06 versus 4.44%; OR = -0.62, 95% CI -1.04, -0.19). More women in the medical group (90.4 versus 73.1%; OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.05, 1.50) would elect the same treatment in the future. Medical management using 600 microg misoprostol vaginally is more effective than expectant management of early pregnancy failure. Misoprostol did not increase the side-effect profile and patient acceptability was superior to expectant management.Background:
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- 1 What is a miscarriage?
- 2 What are the different types of miscarriage?
- 3 How accurate are pregnancy tests?
- 4 What is a blighted ovum?
- 5 I have had a hydatidiform mole. What is this?
- 6 Why did I have a spontaneous miscarriage?
- 7 How frequently do miscarriages occur?
- 8 I am miscarrying. How should this be treated?
- 8a Can miscarriage result in anxiety and depression?
- 9 What is meant by recurrent miscarriage?
- 10 I have a problem with recurrent miscarriage. What is the chance of my next pregnancy being successful?
- Q 12.11 Recurrent Miscarriage I have miscarried again. Why does this keep happening?
- 12 What congenital problems might be associated with recurrent miscarriage and how could they be treated?
- 13 What traumatic conditions can cause recurrent miscarriage and how can they be treated?
- 14 Can infection cause recurrent miscarriage and would treatment help?
- 15 Could a metabolic disorder cause recurrent miscarriage?
- 16 Could a hormonal problem account for recurrent miscarriage and would hormone treatment help me?
- 17 Could an autoimmune problem cause recurrent miscarriage and how could this be treated?
- 18 Could a tumour cause recurrent miscarriage?
- 19 What degenerative processes may be associated with recurrent miscarriage?
- 20 After every miscarriage I become more depressed. Could this account for the problem?
- 21 Is it always possible to explain recurrent miscarriage?
- 22 I have a problem with recurrent miscarriage. What treatment is available to ensure that this does not happen again?
- 23 What is an ectopic pregnancy?
- 24 How frequently do ectopic pregnancies occur?
- 25 Why do ectopic pregnancies occur?
- 26 How can an ectopic pregnancy be diagnosed?
- 27 How can an ectopic pregnancy be treated?
- 28 Where can I obtain more information?
- 29 Support Groups.
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This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, retired Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.
- Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.
The aim of this web site is to provide a general guide and it is not intended as a substitute for a consultation with an appropriate specialist in respect of individual care and treatment.
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