The effect of oxytocin infusion and misoprostol on neonatal bilirubin levels.

Purpose: To investigate the association of neonatal bilirubin levels with oxytocin and misoprostol use for labour induction.

Methods: A total of 100 neonates were included in the study. The first group consisted of 50 healthy babies of women who had received oxytocin infusion and the second group consisted of 50 healthy babies of women who had received 25 μg misoprostol every 4 h placed in the posterior fornix for labour induction. Bilirubin and haematocrit levels were measured in all on days 1 and 4 of the neonatal period.

Results: The levels of bilirubin in the oxytocin group were significantly higher than those in the misoprostol group on day 1 [4.42 ± 0.27 mg/dl versus 3.55 ± 0.28 mg/dl (P = 0.035)] while they were higher also on day 4 but was not significantly so [7.47 ± 0.63 mg/dl versus 6.86 ± 0.65 mg/dl (P = 0.525)]. The mean haematocrit levels on day 1 were 50.62 ± 1.23 and 58.04 ± 1.30 in groups 1 and 2, respectively, with a significant difference between them. The levels were 52.31 ± 1.27 and 58.96 ± 1.14 on day 4 and the difference was again significant. P < 0.05 indicated statistical significance.

Conclusions: Labour induction with misoprostol and oxytocin does not seem to have harmful effects on bilirubin levels in the neonate.