[Clinical value of adjuvant therapy with estrogen for postpartum hemorrhage]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of estrogen in management of postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony.

Methods: Totalling 112 puerperants with postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony were randomly assigned into 2 groups and received routine managements for uterine atony such as uterine massage and uterotonics administration. The puerperants in one group (n=52) was treated with 4 mg estradiol benzoate injected intramuscularly, and the amount of blood loss 2 h after delivery and between 2 and 24 h after delivery was recorded.

Results: There were significant differences in vaginal blood loss at 2 h after delivery between the 2 groups (P<0.05). The puerperants with estrodiol benzoate treatment had blood loss of 589.6-/+226.4 ml at 2 h and 110.8-/+76.2 ml within 2-24 h after delivery, which were both less than those in the control group (864.5-/+359.5 ml and 161.5-/+98.3 ml, respectively). Postpartum hysterectomy was performed in 3 cases of the control group while none in estradiol benzoate-treated group. In the mothers and neonates, no major adverse effects were observed.

Conclusion: Estrogen shows cooperative efficacy with uterotonics in stimulating uterine contraction for managements of postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony, and can be of value in clinical application.