Misoprostol Abortion: ultrasonography versus Beta-hCG testing for verification of effectiveness

ABSTRACT

Miscarriage is a common complication of early pregnancy with medical and * psychological consequences. Dilation and Curettage are considered as two standard caring ways for early I pregnancy failure. Alternatively misoprostol has been used as a single agent for termination of early I pregnancy. Aim of the present study was to compare the usefulness of serum B-hCG measurement and ultrasound examination to predict complete abortion after medical induction. There were one hundred and thirty three patients experiencing missed abortion or blighted ovum. Ultrasound examination and serum 6-hCG test were performed before treatment and during follow-up in all these patients. Treatment was successful without any need for surgical intervention in 92.4% of the cases. Both methods could verify the complete abortion among all the patients at the end of the study [4[th] week]. Kappa agreement coefficient for the two methods of diagnosis was 0.327 [P < 0.5]. Based on our results, B- hCG is as effective as ultrasound in confirming a successful medically induced abortion in early pregnancy, but it should be used as supplements to clinical assessments