Abstract
Background. Both misoprostol-alone and a combination of mifepristone plus misoprostol have been used in induction of labor in cases of intrauterine fetal death (IUFD). Methods. Data from 130 women with IUFD at 21–42 weeks of gestation were analysed retrospectively. A total of 82 women received 100 µg (median) of misoprostol at 4-h intervals. Some 48 women received 200 mg of mifepristone, followed 19 h (median) later by single doses of 25 µg of misoprostol at 4-h intervals. Results. The induction-to-delivery time did not differ between the groups (13.3 versus 12.8 h). However, between 21 and 25 weeks of gestation, the induction-to-delivery time was shorter with the combination regimen (p=0.04). The total dose of misoprostol needed was lower in the group pre-treated with mifepristone (p=0.0028). The 2 groups did not differ as regards complications experienced during labor and delivery. Conclusions. Both regimens, misoprostol-only and the combination of mifepristone and misoprostol, are effective and safe in induction of labor after IUFD. Pre-treatment with mifepristone is more effective at earlier gestational weeks.