Effect of Intravenous Dexamethasone on Induction of Mid-Trimesteric Abortion Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Medical abortion, the termination of pregnancy through the use of a drug or a combination of drugs, has the potential to reduce complications and to expand access to abortion provided not only by specially trained clinicians but also by other health care providers who may or may not have training in surgical methods of abortion. Aim: This study aimed to elicit the safety and efficacy of intravenous injection of dexamethasone with vaginal misoprostol for shortening the induction abortion interval in the second trimester of pregnancy. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in Ain-Shams Maternity University Hospital where 140 pregnant females were included for induction of second trimester abortion from June 2018 till December 2019. Results: There was significant statistical difference between the two groups as regard induction-expulsion interval (P >0.001) and length of hospital stay (P > 0.001), mean induction-expulsion interval in dexamethasone group was 10.5 hours; while in the control group was 17.5 hours, the mean length hospital stay was 16 hours in the dexamethasone group while it was 23 hours in the control group. There was significant statistical difference between the two groups as regard dose of misoprostol used (P>0.001), mean dose of misoprostol in the dexamethasone group was 800 mcg while it was 1600 mcg in the control group. Conclusion:It was suggested that use of intravenous injection of dexamethasone with misoprostol was effective in shortening the induction-abortion interval, the length of hospital stay and reducing the misoprostol doses.