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Meta-Analysis
. 2021 Aug 17;21(1):563.
doi: 10.1186/s12884-021-04010-1.

The effect of dexamethasone on labor induction: a systematic review

Zaynab Mohaghegh  1 , Shahla Faal Siahkal  2 , Hadis Bahmaei  3 , Foruzan Sharifipour  4 , Ehsan Kazemnejad Leyli  5 , Maryam Zahedian  6
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

The effect of dexamethasone on labor induction: a systematic review

Zaynab Mohaghegh et al. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. .

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the effect of dexamethasone administration on the interval between initiation of labor induction and active phase of labor.

Methods: The databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for studies published up to June 27, 2021. Two types of articles were included: a) full-text articles published in English or any other languages, and b) Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). Participants were primi- or multigravida women with term or post-term pregnancy. The intervention group received parenteral or extra-amniotic dexamethasone whereas the control group received normal saline or no treatment before initiation of labor induction. All data were analyzed using Review Manager 5.3.

Results: Seventeen studies involving 1879 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Administration of dexamethasone reduced the interval between the initiation of labor induction and the beginning of active phase by about 70 min [MD: - 1.17 (- 1.37, - 1.00); P < 0.00001]. Duration of the first stage of labor in the dexamethasone group was about 88 min shorter than that in the control. There were no maternal and fetal adverse effects.

Conclusions: Dexamethasone could significantly reduce the length of induction-active phase interval, and length of the first stage of labor, with no difference in maternal or fetal adverse effects.

Keywords: Cervical ripening; Corticosteroid; Dexamethasone; Labor induction.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram of the study
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
‘Risk of bias’ summary: authors’ judgments about each risk of bias item for included studies
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Forest plot of comparison of duration of induction to the active phase of labor between two groups
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Forest plot of sensitivity analysis of duration of induction to the active phase of labor between two groups
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Forest plot of sensitivity analysis of duration of the active phase of labor between two groups
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Forest plot of sensitivity analysis of duration of 1st stage of labor between two groups
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Forest plot of sensitivity analysis of duration of second stage of labor between two groups
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Forest plot of comparison of the rate of normal vaginal delivery (NVD) between two groups
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
Forest plot of comparison of the rate of cesarean section between two groups
Fig. 10
Fig. 10
Forest plot of comparison of the time between induction to delivery between two groups
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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