Mifepristone combined with ethacridine lactate for the third-trimester stillbirth induction: a 5-year experience from Shanghai

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of mifepristone combined with ethacridine lactate for induction of stillbirth in the third-trimester. Methods: : All women who had a stillbirth in late pregnancy (≥28 weeks) except for eugenics in an university-based maternity center from September 2016 to September 2021 were included in our study. The methods of induction of stillbirth and their complications were analyzed in different groups. Results: : We identified 5-year deliveries in the hospital, 122 women experienced a stillbirth, among whom 38 stillbirths resulted from eugenics induction and were excluded, 84 cases were included in our analyses. We analyzed the methods of induction in these 84 cases, 51(60.71%) cases accepted intra-amniotic ethacridine lactate induction, among whom 48(94.12%) cases had a successful induction. The ethacridine lactate induction group showed no increased risks in complications(5.88%, 3/51), compared with non-ethacridine lactate group(12.12%, 4/33)(P=0.097, OR, 0.27, 95%CI, 0.05 to 1.27). No statistical difference in induction failure was found between different ethacridine dosage groups (P=0.48, OR, 2.46, 95%CI, 0.21 to 28.89). Conclusions: : Mifepristone combined with ethacridine lactate is a safe and effective induction method for stillbirth in the third-trimester.