Comparing the Effect of Dextrose and Oxytocin to Reduce Postpartum Haemorrhage: Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

Introduction: Post-partum haemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. There are different management procedures adopted for the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of dextrose in Post-partum Haemorrhage (PPH) and compare it with Oxytocin (a conventional method). Materials and Methods: A two-arm randomised controlled trial was conducted among 120 pregnant women admitted to the delivery room of the Obstetric and Gynaecological Unit of a Teaching Hospital. Participants were randomised to receive either 20 unit of oxytocin in 1000 mL ringer lactate solution (routine administration, control group) or 200 mL of 10% dextrose solution (intervention group). The primary outcome measured in this study was amount of blood loss. The outcome was assessed at 1 hour and 2 hours. Data were analysed using SPSS version 22.0, chi-square and student’s t-tests. Authors used expected maximisation to handle missing data to enable an intention-to-treat analysis. Results: At baseline, the groups were homogeneous in regards to socio-demographic variables. The average blood loss was significantly lower in the intervention group (dextrose 10%) compared to the control group (oxytocin) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Administering of dextrose 10% to pregnant women at the third stage of labour was associated with lower postpartum haemorrhage than oxytocin.

Keywords

• blood loss
• oxytocin
• vaginal delivery