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Biomedical subjects

Jodie M Dodd

Publications and source records attributed to Jodie M Dodd.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Misoprostol versus cervagem for the induction of labour to terminate pregnancy in the second and third trimester: a systematic review.

AIMS: to compare the benefits and harms of misoprostol to induce labour in the second and third trimester of pregnancy with cervagem. METHODS: MEDLINE was searched using the terms abortion, induced; abortifacient agents; pregnancy, second trimester; pregnancy, third trimester; misoprostol; cervagem; and gemeprost to identify randomised controlled trials in which misoprostol was compared with cervagem, for induction of labour to terminate pregnancy in the second or third trimester. Outcomes included vaginal birth not achieved within 24h; induction to delivery interval; analgesia requirements; blood loss; blood transfusion; surgical evacuation of the uterus; maternal death or serious maternal morbidity; side effects. RESULTS: Six randomised trials were included. Five compared vaginal misoprostol with cervagem [el Refaey H, Hinshaw K, Templeton A. The abortifacient effect of misoprostol in the second trimester: a randomized comparison with gemeprost in patients pre-treated with mifepristone (RU486). Hum Reprod 1993;8(10):1744-6; Ho PC, Chan YF, Lau W. Misoprostol is as effective as gemeprost in termination of second trimester pregnancy when combined with mifepristone: a randomised comparative trial. Contraception 1996;53(5):281-3; Nuutila M, Toivonen J, Ylikorkala O, Halmesmaki E. A comparison between two doses of intravaginal misoprostol and gemeprost for induction of second trimester abortion. Obstetr Gynecol 1997;90(6):896-900; Wong KS, Ngai CS, Wong AY, Tang LC, Ho PC. Vaginal misoprostol compared with vaginal gemeprost in termination of pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. Contraception 1998;58(4):207-10; Dickinson JE, Godfrey M, Evans SF. Efficacy of intravaginal misoprostol in second trimester termination of pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. J Mater Fetal Med 1999;7(3):115-9], and one oral misoprostol with gemeprost [Bartley J, Baird DT. A randomised study of misoprostol and gemeprost in combination with mifepristone for induction of abortion in the second trimester of pregnancy. Br J Obstetr Gynaecol 2002;109(11):1290-4]. Vaginal misoprostol compared with cervagem was associated with reduced narcotic analgesia (3 studies, 169 women, RR 0.64 95% CI 0.49-0.84), and surgical evacuation of the uterus (5 studies, 319 women, RR 0.71 95% CI 0.53-0.95). No other statistically significant differences were observed for other outcomes with reported data. In the single trial comparing oral misoprostol with gemeprost, reported outcomes were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal misoprostol for the termination of second and third trimester of pregnancy appears as effective as cervagem, but information about maternal safety is limited.

Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal↗

Oral misoprostol for induction of labour at term: randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare oral misoprostol solution with vaginal prostaglandin gel (dinoprostone) for induction of labour at term to determine whether misoprostol is superior. DESIGN: Randomised double blind placebo controlled trial. SETTING: Maternity departments in three hospitals in Australia. Population Pregnant women with a singleton cephalic presentation at > or = 36+6 weeks' gestation, with an indication for prostaglandin induction of labour. INTERVENTIONS: 20 mug oral misoprostol solution at ourly intervals and placebo vaginal gel or vaginal dinoprostone gel at six hourly intervals and placebo oral solution. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Vaginal birth within 24 hours; uterine hyperstimulation with associated changes in fetal heart rate; caesarean section (all); and caesarean section for fetal distress. RESULTS: 741 women were randomised, 365 to the misoprostol group and 376 to the vaginal dinoprostone group. There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups in the primary outcomes: vaginal birth not achieved in 24 hours (misoprostol 168/365 (46.0%) v dinoprostone 155/376 (41.2%); relative risk 1.12, 95% confidence interval 0.95 to 1.32; P = 0.134), caesarean section (83/365 (22.7%) v 100/376 (26.6%); 0.82, 0.64 to 1.06; P = 0.127), caesarean section for fetal distress (32/365 (8.8%) v 35/376 (9.3%); 0.91, 0.57 to 1.44; P = 0.679), or uterine hyperstimulation with changes in fetal heart rate (3/365 (0.8%) v 6/376 (1.6%); 0.55, 0.14 to 2.21; P = 0.401). Although there were differences in the process of labour induction, there were no significant differences in adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This trial shows no evidence that oral misoprostol is superior to vaginal dinoprostone for induction of labour. However, it does not lead to poorer health outcomes for women or their infants, and oral treatment is preferred by women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: National Health and Medical Research Council, Perinatal Trials, PT0361.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

Cochrane reviews in pregnancy: the role of perinatal randomized trials and systematic reviews in establishing evidence.

Evidence from randomized trials and systematic reviews provides the highest level of evidence from which to make clinical decisions. There are over 340 Cochrane reviews and protocols in pregnancy and childbirth; these provide the best single source of evidence for care of pregnant women and their babies, and highlight further research priorities. The challenges to health professionals are to ensure that the Cochrane reviews are prepared, kept up to date, and used in clinical care, and where relevant reliable evidence is not available to ensure that high-quality randomized trials are promptly conducted.

Evidence-Based Medicine↗

Morning compared with evening induction of labor: a nested randomized controlled trial. A nested randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that commencing induction of labor in the morning more closely reflects the physiologic timing of onset of labor and is associated with fewer women who remain undelivered 24 hours after cervical ripening and induction begins. METHODS: This was a nested randomized clinical trial, conducted between April 2001 and December 2004. Pregnant women at more than 36+6 weeks gestation with a cephalic presentation who were scheduled for prostaglandin induction of labor were eligible to participate. Women were randomly assigned to either admission in the morning (0800 hours) or admission in the evening (2,000 hours). The primary outcome measures were vaginal birth not achieved in 24 hours, uterine hyperstimulation with associated fetal heart rate changes, and cesarean delivery. RESULTS: A total of 620 women were entered in the trial, with 280 women in the morning admission group and 340 women in the evening admission group. There were no statistically significant differences between the timing of admission for induction and the primary trial outcomes. However, women admitted in the morning were less likely to require oxytocin infusion (morning admission 126 of 280 [45.0%] compared with evening admission 184 of 340 [54.1%]; relative risk 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.70-0.97; P=.022). Nulliparous women admitted in the morning were less likely to require operative vaginal birth (morning admission 10 of 62 [16.1%] compared with evening admission 28 of 82 [34.2%]; relative risk 0.47, 95% confidence interval 0.25-0.90; P=.015). CONCLUSION: For women who require induction of labor, consideration should be given to admission in the morning rather than admission in the evening. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian Clinical Trials Registry, www.actr.org.au, 12606000156583.

Adult↗

Hospitalisation for bed rest for women with a triplet pregnancy: an abandoned randomised controlled trial and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This abandoned randomised controlled trial assessed the effects of hospitalisation from 24 to 30 weeks gestation for women with a triplet pregnancy on the risk of preterm birth. METHODS: Women with a triplet pregnancy and no other condition necessitating hospital admission were approached for participation in the study, and randomised to either antenatal hospitalisation (hospitalised group), or to routine antenatal care (control group). The randomisation schedule used variable blocks with stratification by parity, and a researcher not involved with clinical care contacted by telephone to determine treatment allocation by opening the next in a series of consecutively numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes. Primary study outcomes were preterm birth (defined as birth less than 37 weeks gestation) and very preterm birth (defined as birth less than 34 weeks gestation), and the development of maternal pregnancy induced hypertension. The trial was ceased prior to achieving the calculated sample size due to difficulties in recruitment. The results of this randomised controlled trial were then combined with the results of another comparing bed rest in women with a triplet pregnancy. RESULTS: Seven women with a triplet pregnancy were recruited to the trial, with three randomised to the hospitalisation group, and four to the control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups for the primary outcomes birth before 37 weeks (3/3 hospitalisation group versus 4/4 control group; relative risk (RR) not estimable), birth before 34 weeks (3/3 hospitalisation group versus 2/4 control group; RR 2.00 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) 0.75-5.33) and pregnancy induced hypertension (1/3 hospitalisation group versus 1/4 control group; RR 1.33 95%CI 0.13-13.74).When the results of this trial were incorporated into a meta-analysis with the previous randomised controlled trial assessing hospitalisation and bed rest for women with a triplet pregnancy, (total sample size 26 women and 78 infants), there were no statistically significant differences identified between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this trial and meta-analysis suggest no benefit of routine hospitalisation and bed rest for women with a triplet pregnancy to reduce the risk of preterm birth. The adoption or continuation of a policy of routine hospitalisation and bed rest for women with an uncomplicated triplet pregnancy cannot be recommended.

Journal Article↗

Should we deliver twins electively at 37 weeks' gestation?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to assess the available literature to answer the question, should we deliver twins electively at 37 weeks' gestation? RECENT FINDINGS: There are retrospective studies indicating that the lowest risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality occurs in twins at 37 weeks' gestation. A single, small, randomized trial has been identified comparing elective birth at 37 weeks' gestation with continued expectant management. However, there is currently insufficient information available from randomized controlled trials to indicate whether the benefits of elective birth outweigh the potential harms for both women and their infants. SUMMARY: Whereas elective birth at 37 weeks' gestation may be a safe and effective way to reduce the perinatal mortality and morbidity in twins, further information is required from randomized controlled trials to answer the question of whether we should deliver twins electively at 37 weeks' gestation.

Australia↗

Progesterone supplementation for preventing preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: The aim of this study is to assess the role of progesterone in preterm birth prevention. METHODS: A MEDLINE search (from 1966 to the present; date of last search January 2005) was performed - using the key words progesterone, pregnancy, preterm birth, preterm labor, and randomized, controlled trial - in order to identify randomized, controlled trials in which progesterone (either intramuscular or vaginal administration) was compared with placebo or no treatment. Data were extracted and a meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS: Seven randomized, controlled trials were identified. Women who received progesterone were statistically significantly less likely to give birth before 37 weeks (seven studies, 1020 women, RR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.48-0.70), to have an infant with birth weight of < or =2.5 kg (six studies, 872 infants, RR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.49-0.78), or to have an infant diagnosed with intraventricular hemorrhage (one study, 458 infants, RR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.08-0.82). CONCLUSIONS: For progesterone supplementation to be advocated for women at the risk of preterm birth, the prolongation of gestation demonstrated in this meta-analysis must translate into improved infant outcomes, including a reduction in mortality. There is currently insufficient information to allow recommendations regarding the optimal dose, route, and timing of administration of progesterone supplementation.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

Evidence-based care of women with a multiple pregnancy.

Women with a multiple pregnancy face greater risks for themselves and their infants than women pregnant with one child. Pre-pregnancy care should focus on avoiding multiple pregnancy. Early prenatal care centres on determining chorionicity and screening for fetal anomalies, with later care focusing on the presentation, prediction and management of preterm birth, and intrauterine growth restriction. The optimal timing and mode of birth are the focus of current multicentre, randomised, controlled trials. However, the data from such trials on care for women with a multiple pregnancy are limited. Many areas of care require better-quality information, including when using assisted reproductive techniques, the optimal number of embryos to be transferred, care after the diagnosis of chorionicity, and the benefits of specialised multiple pregnancy clinics. Better-quality information is required to inform clinical practice for women with complications of multiple pregnancy, including monoamniotic twin pregnancy, treatment of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, and care following single intrauterine fetal death.

Diseases in Twins↗

Rectal analgesia for the relief of perineal pain after childbirth: a randomised controlled trial of diclofenac suppositories.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate rectal diclofenac in the relief of perineal pain after trauma during childbirth. DESIGN: A randomised, double-blind trial. SETTING: Delivery Suite, Women's and Children's Hospital, South Australia. POPULATION: Women with a second-degree (or greater) perineal tear or episiotomy. METHODS: Women were randomly allocated to either diclofenac or placebo suppositories (Anusol), using a computer-generated randomisation schedule with stratification for parity and mode of birth. Treatment packs contained two x 100 mg diclofenac or two placebo suppositories, the first being inserted when suturing was complete, and the second 12-24 hours after birth. Women were asked to complete questionnaires at 24 and 48 hours after birth relating to their degree of perineal pain using the validated Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain scores at 24 and 48 hours after birth. RESULTS: A total of 133 women were recruited, with 67 randomised to diclofenac suppositories and 66 to placebo. Women in the diclofenac group were significantly less likely to experience pain at 24 hours while walking (RR 0.8; 95% CI 0.6 to 1.0), sitting (RR 0.8; 95% CI 0.6 to 1.0), passing urine (RR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4 to 1.0) and on opening their bowels (RR 0.6; 95% CI 0.2 to 0.9) compared with those women who received placebo. These differences were not sustained 48 hours after birth. CONCLUSIONS: The use of rectal non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug suppositories is a simple, effective and safe method of reducing the pain experienced by women following perineal trauma within the first 24 hours after childbirth.

Administration, Rectal↗

Single or multiple embryo transfer following in vitro fertilisation for improved neonatal outcome: a systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current review was to determine if single versus two or more embryos, or double versus three or more embryos, transferred to the woman of a subfertile couple at in vitro fertilisation (IVF) maximises the likelihood of pregnancy, while minimising the likelihood of multiple pregnancy and adverse sequelae. METHODS: Studies were identified that reported maternal, infant and cost outcomes following embryo transfer at IVF. RESULTS: Three randomised trials and 17 cohort studies were included. From two randomised trials, single embryo transfer was found to result in decreased incidence of clinical pregnancy, multiple pregnancy and low birthweight. In the cohort studies for single embryo transfer compared with transfer of two or more embryos the incidence of live birth and singleton pregnancies was unchanged, and the incidence of multiple pregnancies and low birthweight was reduced. For double embryo transfer compared with the transfer of three or more embryos, the incidence of clinical pregnancy, live birth, preterm birth and low birthweight babies was reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Information on neonatal and maternal outcomes following transfer of different numbers of embryos is limited. Transfer of one embryo does not alter the likelihood of a singleton pregnancy or birth when compared to transfer of two or more embryos. Transfer of one or two embryos decreases the risk of a multiple pregnancy, preterm birth and low birthweight. Further large, well-designed randomised trials are required to provide maternal and neonatal outcomes of relevance to a couple undergoing IVF.

Australia↗

Stillbirth and neonatal outcomes in South Australia, 1991-2000.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of maternal factors associated with impaired placental function on stillbirth and neonatal death rates in South Australia. STUDY DESIGN: From 1991 to 2000, the South Australian Pregnancy Outcome Unit's population database was searched to identify stillbirths and neonatal deaths in women with maternal medical conditions during pregnancy and in twin and singleton pregnancies. RESULTS: Women with hypertension and carbohydrate intolerance and who smoked during pregnancy had an increased risk of stillbirth. Women with twin pregnancies had a significantly higher stillbirth rate than for singletons at each week of gestational age. An increase in stillbirth rate at later gestations was seen with singletons, with a similar trend in twins but rising from 36 weeks' gestation. CONCLUSION: There is a clinical correlation between maternal factors associated with impaired placental function and increased risk of stillbirth, suggesting that intrauterine fetal death represents the mortality end point in a spectrum of intrauterine hypoxia.

Adult↗