Medical abortion in China

Abstract

This paper reviews the literature on early medical abortion in China. Mifepristone was approved for termination of pregnancy up to 49 days' gestation in China in 1986. The commonly accepted regimens are 150 mg mifepristone administered in several small doses or a single 200 mg dose followed by 0.6 mg oral misoprostol. Complete abortion rates are 90% to 97%. Ultrasound is strongly recommended to rule out ectopic pregnancy. Patients remain in the clinic for four to six hours after misoprostol. If the fetal sac is not expelled during the four-hour observation, the second dose of 0.4 mg misoprostol is given in many of the clinics. Rates of emergency curettage ranged from less than 1% to 4%, and rates of blood transfusion were less than 1%. The major complication of concern is undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy. The Chinese experience has shown that medical abortion is well accepted as an alternative to surgical intervention when provided under medical supervision and administrative monitoring.