Table 1.

Comparison of outcomes between women who received misoprostol or placebo, expressed as proportions (percent) or mean values [standard deviation]. Differences are expressed as relative risks or mean differences, with 95% confidence intervals.

	Misoprostol (117)		Placebo (121)
Baseline characteristics	n		n
Age (years)	116	27.1 [6.0]	119	26.2 [6.2]
Ergometrine before enrolment	106	36 (34%)	104	34 (33%)
Oxytocin ≥20 U before enrolment	116	82 (71%)	117	78 (67%)
Primary outcomes:					RR/ MD	95% Conf. interval
Blood loss ≥500 ml*	117	6 (5.1%)	120	11 (9.2%)	0.56	0.21 to 1.46
Mean blood loss* [SD] (ml)	117	168 [163]	120	176 [173]	-8	-51 to 35
24 hour Haemoglobin <6 g/dL or blood transfusion	110	20 (18.2%)	116	17 (14.7%)	1.24	0.69 to 2.24
Pyrexia at 1 hour ≥38, 5°C	114	11 (9.6%)	118	2 (1.7%)	5.69	1.29 to 25
Shivering at 1 hour ≥ moderate	116	63 (54%)	118	30 (25%)	2.14	1.50 to 3.04
Secondary outcomes:
Blood loss ≥ 1,000 ml*	117	1 (0.85%)	120	0 (0%)
Blood transfusion	115	19 (17%)	119	15 (13%)	1.31	0.70 to 2.45
24 hour haemoglobin <8 g/dL or blood transfusion	110	43 (39%)	116	37 (32%)	1.23	0.86 to 1.75
Additional uterotonic after enrolment	111	63 (57%)	112	63 (56%)	1.01	0.80 to 1.27
Manual removal of the placenta	117	1 (0.85%)	121	4 (3.3%)	0.26	0.03 to 2.28
Evacuation of retained products of conception	117	2 (1.7%)	121	0 (0%)
Hysterectomy**	117	3 (2.6%)	121	0 (0%)
Maternal death**	117	3 (2.6%)	121	0 (0%)

RR = relative risk; MD = mean difference; Conf = confidence; SD = standard deviation *Measured, within 1 hour after enrolment ** One woman died after hysterectomy and is counted in both outcomes