Comparison 25. PCA remifentanil versus PCA pethidine.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Pain score in labour	2	122	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	−8.59 [−27.61, 10. 44]
2 Women receiving other analgesia (Entonox)	2	56	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.86 [0.69, 1.08]
3 Epidural	2	122	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.42 [0.20, 0.89]
4 Maternal sleepiness during labour	1	105	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.40 [0.14, 0.66]
5 Nausea and vomiting	2	119	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.95 [0.61, 1.49]
6 Assisted vaginal birth	2	97	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.96 [0.46, 2.00]
7 Caesarean section	2	97	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.81 [0.60, 5.46]
8 Apgar score < 7 at 5 minutes	1	17	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.13 [0.01, 2.16]
9 Naloxone administered	2	56	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.3 [0.01, 6.47]
10 Admission to NICU	1	17	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.3 [0.01, 6.47]
11 Satisfaction with childbirth experience	1	68	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.10 [0.46, 1.74]
12 Neurobehavioural score (15 minutes post delivery)	1	56	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.20 [−0.93, 1.33]
13 Neurobehavioural score (2 hours post delivery)	1	56	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.60 [−0.66, 1.86]