Ahmed, A., Deif, O., El-Saftawy, M. (2019). Potency of Dexamethasone in Labor Induction. The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, 74(7), 1544-1551. doi: 10.21608/ejhm.2019.27861
Abd Elazeem Mohamed Ahmed; Osama Mohamed Deif; Mohamed Aly El-Saftawy. "Potency of Dexamethasone in Labor Induction". The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, 74, 7, 2019, 1544-1551. doi: 10.21608/ejhm.2019.27861
Ahmed, A., Deif, O., El-Saftawy, M. (2019). 'Potency of Dexamethasone in Labor Induction', The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, 74(7), pp. 1544-1551. doi: 10.21608/ejhm.2019.27861
Ahmed, A., Deif, O., El-Saftawy, M. Potency of Dexamethasone in Labor Induction. The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, 2019; 74(7): 1544-1551. doi: 10.21608/ejhm.2019.27861
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University
Abstract
Background: Induction of labor is one of the most common interventions practiced in modern obstetrics. In the developed world, the ability to induce labor has contributed to the reduction in maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Objective: The aim of this study is to establish whether dexamethasone plays a role in shortening the duration interval between initiation of labor induction and beginning of the active phase of labor in post-term pregnancy, so shortening the duration of labor. Methodology: This case-controlled trial study was conducted in the labor ward of El Hussein University Hospital and El-Shiekh Zaid Specialized Hospital to evaluate the effect of dexamethasone infusion administration on the duration of induction of labor. This study comprised 100 pregnant women with full term pregnancy, who admitted to the labor ward for induction of labor because of full-term pregnancy (gestational age ≥40 weeks). Results: There was a high significant statistical difference between the two studied groups as regards duration between labor induction and active phase of labor being shorter in case group. Active phase and second stage of labor were shorter in duration in cases of study than control. No significant statistical difference between the two studied groups as regards mode of delivery, neonatal outcome (birth weight, Apgar score at 1 minute, Apgar score at 5 minutes and fetal complications (meconium stained liquor and admission to NICU). Conclusion: Intravenous infusion of two ml (8 mg) of dexamethasone appears to shorten labor duration.