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Over-the-counter MTP Pills and Its Impact on Women’s Health

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The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

To study the complications and consequences including maternal morbidity and mortality following indiscriminate self-consumption of abortion pills reporting to a tertiary care center.

Methodology

This is an observational study conducted at Vanivilas hospital between January 2012 to December 2013 for 24 months. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 104 women were studied with respect to period of gestation, parity, clinical features at presentation and management in the institution. An analysis of maternal morbidity and mortality was done with respect to surgical interventions, ICU admissions, need for blood transfusions and maternal deaths.

Observations and results

In this study, there were 75 (72.2 %) cases of incomplete abortion, 10 (9.6 %) cases of missed abortion, 2 (1.9 %) cases of ruptured ectopic and 2 (1.9 %) cases of rupture uterus. Seventy-eight (75 %) cases received blood transfusion, 7 (6.7 %) were admitted to ICU, and 2 (1.9 %) developed acute kidney injury. There were 2 (1.9 %) maternal deaths in the study group.

Conclusion

This study shows urgent need for legislation and restriction of drugs used for medical termination of pregnancy. Drugs should be made available via health care facilities under supervision to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity due to indiscriminate use of these pills.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of OBG, BMCRI, No. 55, 11th Main, Opposite Cluny Convent, Malleshwaram, Bangalore, 560003, India

    Sarojini

  2. Department of OBG, BMCRI, No. 620, A4, Krishna Block, National Games Village, Koramangala, Bangalore, 560047, India

    T. R. Ashakiran

  3. Department of OBG, BMCRI, No. 20, Shravya, 40 Feet Road, 7th Cross, Manjunathanagar, Bangalore, 560010, India

    B. T. Bhanu

  4. Department of OBG, BMCRI, No. 617, B4, Sharavathi Block, National Games Village, Koramangala, Bangalore, 560047, India

    Radhika

Authors
  1. Sarojini
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  2. T. R. Ashakiran
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  3. B. T. Bhanu
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  4. Radhika
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sarojini.

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Conflict of interest

Dr. Sarojini, Dr. T.R. Ashakiran, Dr. B.T. Bhanu, and Dr. Radhika declare that we do not have any conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2008 (5). Ethical committee clearance from the institution was obtained.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all patients for being included in the study.

Additional information

Dr. Sarojini is an Assistant Professor in Department of OBG, BMCRI, Bangalore; Dr. T.R. Ashakiran is an Assistant Professor in Department of OBG, BMCRI, Bangalore; Dr. B.T. Bhanu is an ICMO in Department of OBG, BMCRI, Bangalore; Dr. Radhika is an Assistant Professor in Department of OBG, BMCRI, Bangalore.

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Sarojini, Ashakiran, T.R., Bhanu, B.T. et al. Over-the-counter MTP Pills and Its Impact on Women’s Health. J Obstet Gynecol India 67, 37–41 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-016-0916-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-016-0916-9

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