https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5062-7328
Abstract
Background
Oxytocin is used for initiating uterine contraction and preventing postpartum hemorrhage during caesarean delivery. Using a lower dosage of oxytocin may lower the risk of adverse effects while still being effective in stimulating initial uterine contraction. We aimed to compare the effectiveness and side effects of the standard 10 IU bolus of oxytocin with those of a 5 IU bolus during caesarean delivery.
Patients and Methods
We enrolled women in a randomized, double-blind, study comparing intravenous injections of high-dose (10 IU) and low-dose (5 IU) oxytocin administered after clamping of the umbilical cord. The primary outcome was adequate uterine contraction within the first 3 mins after administration. Secondary outcomes included uterine tone, use of additional uterotonic agents, additional obstetrics procedures, and oxytocin-related adverse events.
Results
A total of 155 women underwent randomization, with 78 in the low-dose group and 77 in the high-dose group. The proportion of women with adequate uterine contraction during the first 3 mins was 84.6% in the low-dose group and 77.9% in the high-dose group (relative risk, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.93 to 1.26). Methylergonovine maleate was used in 14.1% of cases in the low-dose group and 36.4% in the high-dose group (relative risk, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.73). The necessity for additional obstetric procedures, estimated blood loss >500 mL, neonatal outcomes, and oxytocin-related adverse effects did not differ significantly between the two groups.
Conclusion
The 5 IU bolus of oxytocin was noninferior to the standard 10 IU bolus of oxytocin for initiating adequate uterine contraction, required fewer additional uterotonic agents, and led to fewer oxytocin-related adverse events.
Ethical Approval
Ethical approval was obtained from the Khon Kaen University Ethics Committee for Human Research based on the Declaration of Helsinki and the ICH Good clinical Practice Guidelines (September 25, 2018; Reference No. HE611369).
Acknowledgment
We would like to thank Dylan Southard, the English Consultant at Khon Kaen University’s Faculty of Medicine, for his help in editing the English-language presentation of this manuscript.
Disclosure
The authors have no conflicts of interest to report for this work.