Meta-analysis of high-dose vs low-dose oxytocin for labor augmentation

January 01, 0001

Meta-analysis of high-dose vs low-dose oxytocin for labor augmentation

The objective of this systematic review by Chinese and Canadian authors was to estimate the efficacy and safety of high-dose vs low-dose oxytocin for labor augmentation on the risk of cesarean section and on indicators of maternal and neonatal morbidity. They searched PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for randomized clinical trials published until January 2010.

They found: "Ten randomized clinical trials, including 5423 women, met the inclusion criteria. High-dose oxytocin was associated with a moderate decrease in the risk of cesarean section (RR, 0.85), a small increase in spontaneous vaginal delivery (RR, 1.07), and a decrease in labor duration (mean difference: -1.54 hours). While hyperstimulation was increased with high- dose oxytocin (RR, 1.91), there was no evidence of an increase in maternal or neonatal morbidity."

The authors stated: "We conclude that high-dose oxytocin for labor augmentation is associated with a decrease in cesarean section and shortened labor."

It appears that high-dose oxytocin for labor augmentation is a better choice.


For the full abstract, click here.

Am J Obstet Gynecol 203(4):296-304, October 2010 © 2010 to Mosby, Inc.
High-dose vs low-dose oxytocin for labor augmentation: a systematic review. Shu-Qin Wei, Zhong-Cheng Luo, Hui-Ping Qi, Hairong Xu, William D. Fraser. Correspondence to Dr. Fraser: [email protected]

Category: W. Pregnancy, Childbirth, Family Planning. Keywords: active management of labor, labor augmentation, oxytocin dose, meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Linda French, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 16 November 2010

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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