Web annexes: medical management of abortion: evidence summary: 3a. medical management of induced abortion at < 12 weeks of gestation
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World Health Organization
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85 p.
This web annex forms part of the WHO guideline Medical management of abortion and presents the evidence underpinning recommendations for the medical management of induced abortion before 12 weeks of gestation. It systematically evaluates available evidence on medical abortion regimens for pregnancies at or below 63 days of gestation and for pregnancies beyond 63 days up to 84 days, examining combination regimens using mifepristone and misoprostol, misoprostol-only regimens, variations in dosage, dosing intervals, routes of administration, and comparisons with surgical management and self-management approaches. The document summarizes evidence for outcomes including abortion efficacy, ongoing pregnancy, complete abortion without surgical intervention, expulsion time, serious adverse events, side-effects and user satisfaction, using the GRADE approach to assess certainty of the evidence. The publication compiles Summary of Findings tables, forest plots and evidence profiles derived primarily from randomized controlled trials, reporting anticipated absolute and relative effects together with certainty ratings and explanatory comments for each comparison. It provides the technical evidence base supporting WHO recommendations by documenting the effectiveness, safety and acceptability of alternative medical abortion regimens across early gestational ages while highlighting the strength and limitations of the available evidence.
This web annex forms part of the WHO guideline Medical management of abortion and presents the evidence underpinning recommendations for the medical management of induced abortion before 12 weeks of gestation. It systematically evaluates available evidence on medical abortion regimens for pregnancies at or below 63 days of gestation and for pregnancies beyond 63 days up to 84 days, examining combination regimens using mifepristone and misoprostol, misoprostol-only regimens, variations in dosage, dosing intervals, routes of administration, and comparisons with surgical management and self-management approaches. The document summarizes evidence for outcomes including abortion efficacy, ongoing pregnancy, complete abortion without surgical intervention, expulsion time, serious adverse events, side-effects and user satisfaction, using the GRADE approach to assess certainty of the evidence. The publication compiles Summary of Findings tables, forest plots and evidence profiles derived primarily from randomized controlled trials, reporting anticipated absolute and relative effects together with certainty ratings and explanatory comments for each comparison. It provides the technical evidence base supporting WHO recommendations by documenting the effectiveness, safety and acceptability of alternative medical abortion regimens across early gestational ages while highlighting the strength and limitations of the available evidence.