COMPARISON OF INTRAVAGINAL MISOPROSTOL WITH PROSTAGLANDIN-E(2) FOR TERMINATION OF 2ND-TRIMESTER PREGNANCY

Background. The most widely used medical method of terminating second-trimester pregnancy is the intravaginal administration of prostaglandin E(2) (dinoprostone [PGE(2)]). This treatment is highly effective but is associated with severe gastrointestinal side effects and hyperpyrexia. Methods. We conducted a prospective, randomized trial comparing the efficacy and safety of misoprostol, a prostaglandin E(1) analogue (200 mu g intravaginally every 12 hours), with the efficacy and safety of PGE(2) (20 mg intravaginally every 3 hours). The study population included 55 pregnant women between 12 and 22 weeks' gestation who were undergoing termination of pregnancy for either intrauterine fetal death (37 women) or medical or genetic reasons (18 women).