Table 1

Comparison of outcomes between women who received misoprostol or placebo, expressed as proportions (percent) or mean values [standard deviation]. Differences are expressed as relative risks or mean differences, with 95% confidence intervals.

Misoprostol (117)

Placebo (121)

Baseline characteristics

n

n

Age (years)

116

27.1 [6.0]

119

26.2 [6.2]

Ergometrine before enrolment

106

36 (34%)

104

34 (33%)

Oxytocin ≥20 U before enrolment

116

82 (71%)

117

78 (67%)

Primary outcomes:

RR/ MD

95% Conf. interval

Blood loss ≥500 ml*

117

6 (5.1%)

120

11 (9.2%)

0.56

0.21 to 1.46

Mean blood loss* [SD] (ml)

117

168 [163]

120

176 [173]

-8

-51 to 35

24 hour Haemoglobin <6 g/dL or blood transfusion

110

20 (18.2%)

116

17 (14.7%)

1.24

0.69 to 2.24

Pyrexia at 1 hour ≥38, 5°C

114

11 (9.6%)

118

2 (1.7%)

5.69

1.29 to 25

Shivering at 1 hour ≥ moderate

116

63 (54%)

118

30 (25%)

2.14

1.50 to 3.04

Secondary outcomes:

Blood loss ≥ 1,000 ml*

117

1 (0.85%)

120

0 (0%)

Blood transfusion

115

19 (17%)

119

15 (13%)

1.31

0.70 to 2.45

24 hour haemoglobin <8 g/dL or blood transfusion

110

43 (39%)

116

37 (32%)

1.23

0.86 to 1.75

Additional uterotonic after enrolment

111

63 (57%)

112

63 (56%)

1.01

0.80 to 1.27

Manual removal of the placenta

117

1 (0.85%)

121

4 (3.3%)

0.26

0.03 to 2.28

Evacuation of retained products of conception

117

2 (1.7%)

121

0 (0%)

Hysterectomy**

117

3 (2.6%)

121

0 (0%)

Maternal death**

117

3 (2.6%)

121

0 (0%)

RR = relative risk; MD = mean difference; Conf = confidence; SD = standard deviation *Measured, within 1 hour after enrolment ** One woman died after hysterectomy and is counted in both outcomes

Hofmeyr et al. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2004 4:16   doi:10.1186/1471-2393-4-16