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WHO recommendations for misoprostol use for obstetric and gynecologic indications
Author(s) -
Tang Jennifer,
Kapp Nathalie,
Dragoman Monica,
de Souza Joao Paulo
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2012.12.009
Subject(s) - misoprostol , guideline , medicine , obstetrics , uterotonic , reproductive health , randomized controlled trial , abortion , gynecology , intensive care medicine , pregnancy , population , surgery , environmental health , genetics , pathology , oxytocin , biology
Abstract Background Misoprostol, a prostaglandin E 1 analog, stimulates uterine contractility and cervical ripening. A number of randomized trials and systematic reviews have evaluated its use in obstetric and gynecologic conditions. Misoprostol is inexpensive, stable at room temperature, and available in more than 80 countries, making it particularly useful in resource‐poor settings. WHO recognizes the crucial role of misoprostol in reproductive health and has incorporated recommendations for its use into 4 reproductive health guidelines focused on induction of labor, prevention and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage, and management of spontaneous and induced abortion. Methods and results All guidelines were prepared in accordance with the WHO Handbook for Guideline Development . The process included: identification of priority questions and critical outcomes; retrieval of evidence; assessment and synthesis of evidence; formulation of recommendations; and planning for dissemination, implementation, impact evaluation, and updating. The present report summarizes recommendations for misoprostol use in line with each guideline. Conclusion The present comprehensive reference document was designed to enable clinicians and policy makers to quickly access and compare recommendations for the use of misoprostol in various reproductive health settings.