Misoprostol Abortion: Ultrasonography versus Beta-hCG Testing for Verification of Effectiveness

Abstract

Background and objective: 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 pregnancy failure. Alternatively misoprostol has been used as a single agent for termination of early pregnancy. Aim of the present study was to compare the usefulness of serum β-hCG measurement and ultrasound examination to predict complete abortion after medical induction.

Methods: There were one hundred and thirty three patients experiencing missed abortion or blighted ovum. Ultrasound examination and serum β-hCG test were performed before treatment and during follow-up in all these patients.

Results: 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).

Conclusion: Based on our results, β- 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.

Keywords: Medical abortion; Misoprostol; Ultrasound; Verification of expulsion; hCG.