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Prostaglandins Versus Trans-cervical Balloon for Induction of Labor in Fetal Growth Restriction (PROBIN)

Prostaglandins Versus Trans-Cervical Balloon for Induction of Labor in Fetal Growth Restriction: a Multicenter Open-label Randomized Trial

Status
Recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05674487
Acronym
PROBIN
Enrollment
774
Registered
2023-01-06
Start date
2024-04-09
Completion date
2026-12-01
Last updated
2025-04-02

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Fetal Growth Restriction

Keywords

Fetal growth restriction, Cesarean section, Induction of labor, Cervical ripening, Neonatal morbidity

Brief summary

The goal of this randomized trial is to compare two methods of induction in a fetal growth restriction population. The main question it aims to answer is: • Is trans-cervical balloon superior to prostaglandins in reducing the cesarean section rate, without increasing neonatal morbidity? Participants will have an induction of labour by cervical ripening with trans-cervical balloon in the trans-cervical balloon catheter arm and with Prostaglandins in the Misoprostol arm. Researchers will compare two methods of induction: trans-cervical balloon and prostaglandins to see if trans-cervical balloon is associated with a lower risk of cesarean delivery.

Detailed description

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality in late pregnancy. Because of this higher risk of adverse perinatal outcome, induction of labor is often proposed and require cervical ripening when the cervix is not favorable, i.e. Bishop score less than 6. Two methods of cervical ripening are currently available and used: pharmacological (prostaglandins) and mechanical (trans-cervical balloon). Growth-restricted fetuses are a population at increased risk for non-reassuring fetal status and hypoxia during labor because of their lower weight. Prostaglandins can lead to cardiotocograph (CTG) tracing abnormalities by causing uterine tachysystole in normal-weight fetuses. Nevertheless, the question of the method of induction of labor has been poorly studied in the population of growth-restricted fetuses. None of the national and international societies reports in their guidelines which method of induction of labor should be offered to pregnancies complicated by a fetal growth restriction. A few retrospective studies are in favor of an increased risk of uterine tachysystole with consequences on the CTG tracing in the case of cervical ripening with prostaglandins compared to the trans-cervical balloon. However, the results of these studies lack robustness due to important methodological limitations. Because trans-cervical balloon is a mechanical method of cervical ripening, it may be less likely to cause uterine tachysystole and thus fewer non-reassuring fetal status. Thus, the risk of cesarean section in labor could be decreased compared with the use of prostaglandins in the growth-restricted fetal population. To date, there is no published quality randomized controlled trials on the optimal method of cervical ripening in induction of labor for FGR fetuses. The present large-scale randomized trial aim to define the preferred method of induction for these fetuses, associated with a lower risk of cesarean delivery. If it is demonstrated that one method of induction (trans-cervical balloon) is superior to another (prostaglandins) in reducing the cesarean section rate, without increasing neonatal morbidity, the results of our study are likely to lead to changes in national and international recommendations.

Interventions

DEVICETrans-cervical balloon

Induction of labor by cervical ripening with trans-cervical balloon (Foley catheter).

DRUGMisoprostol

Induction of labor by cervical ripening with Prostaglandins (Misoprostol per os)

Sponsors

French Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
University Hospital, Bordeaux
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age over 18 years * Singleton gestation, with cephalic presentation * Gestational age at randomization between entre 34 weeks of gestation and 0 day and 41 weeks of gestation and 0 day * Fetal growth restriction (FGR). FGR is defined at the third trimester by an abdominal circumference below the 10th centile and/or an estimated fetal weight below the 10th centile (according to local curve), according to the trial DIGITAT. Fetus with normal and abnormal Doppler index can be included. * Plan for induction of labor whatever the indication (fetal growth restriction or other), the induction of labor is the induction of birth by vaginal delivery * Bishop Score below 6 * Affiliated or beneficiary to a health security system * Signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria

* Contraindication to an induction of labor * History of previous cesarean delivery, myomectomy by laparotomy or laparoscopy * Contraindication to misoprostol or trans-cervical balloon * Known HIV positivity (because of modified delivery plan) * Known major fetal anomaly or chromosomic anomaly * Fetal demise * Patient under legal protection * Poor understanding of the French language

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
cesarean sectionDay 1Incidence of cesarean section defined as a cesarean birth regardless of the indication

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
neonatal infectionDay 1 up to Day 28Incidence of neonatal infection (confirmed sepsis or pneumonia)
neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathyDay 1 up to Month 2Incidence of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
duration of laborDay 1Mean duration of labor (duration between admission to the labor room and delivery)
duration between cervical ripening and deliveryDay 1Mean duration between cervical ripening and delivery
oxytocin useDay 1Incidence of oxytocin use (median of the maximal administered dosage)
operative deliveryDay 1Incidence of operative delivery (vacuum, forceps, spatula)
postpartum hemorrhageDay 3Incidence of postpartum hemorrhage defined by blood loss \>500mL (defined according to the CNGOF criteria)
Mean total blood lossDay 3Mean total blood loss (mL)
intra-uterine infectiousDay 5Incidence of intra-uterine infectious defined by a fever (maternal temperature equal to or greater than 38°C twice), associated to at least one of the two criterion: persistent fetal tachycardia \> 160 bpm, or purulent amniotic fluid (defined according to the CNGOF criteria).
iron administrationDay 5Incidence of postpartum intravenous iron administration
transfusionDay 5Incidence of transfusion of blood products or blood
maternal thromboembolism eventDay 5Incidence of maternal thromboembolism event (deep venous thrombosis diagnosed using leg Doppler ultrasound or pulmonary embolism diagnosed using computed tomographic pulmonary angiography)
maternal satisfactionDay 5Incidence of maternal satisfaction with a satisfaction questionnaire derived from the childbirth experience questionnaire and satisfaction questionnaire of TRAAP2 study
Mean duration of hospitalizationDay 5Mean duration of hospitalization
umbilical artery lactic acidDay 1Incidence of umbilical artery lactic acid greater than 10mmol/l
neonatal seizureDay 1Incidence of neonatal seizure
neonatal Apgar ScoreDay 1Incidence of neonatal 5 minutes Apgar Score of less than 7
neonatal hypoglycemiaDay 5Incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia (blood glucose \< 35 mg/L) requiring intravenous therapy
neonatal intensive careDay 5Incidence of admission to neonatal intensive care unit or intermediate care unit
neonatal length of hospital stayDay 5 up to Month 2Mean neonatal length of hospital stay
neonatal death before dischargeDay 1 up to Month 2Incidence of neonatal death before discharge
non-reassuring fetal statusDay 1Incidence of non-reassuring fetal status occurring after the beginning of the cervical ripening (including both cervical ripening and labor). Non-reassuring fetal status is defined by the Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique (FIGO), who class the CTG tracing in 3 class: normal, suspicious and pathological 3. According to this classification, non-reassuring fetal status is defined as the presence of a suspicious or pathological CTG tracings, predictive of hypoxia/ neonatal acidosis status
cesarean section for non-reassuring fetal statusDay 1Incidence of cesarean section for non-reassuring fetal status
cesarean section for arrest of laborDay 1Incidence of cesarean section for arrest of labor
neonatal ventilationDay 3Incidence of the need for neonatal ventilation in the first 72 hours of life, defined by intubation, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or high-flow nasal cannula
neonatal meconium aspiration syndromeDay 5Incidence of neonatal meconium aspiration syndrome,
birth traumaDay 5Incidence of birth trauma (bone fracture, neurologic injury, or retinal hemorrhage),
neonatal intracranial or subgaleal hemorrhageDay 5Incidence of neonatal intracranial or subgaleal hemorrhage,
neonatal arterial hypotensioday 1Incidence of neonatal arterial hypotension requiring pressor support
Maternal Postpartum Depression2 months after delivery.Defined by a score greater than 13 on the EPDS (Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale). The EPDS scale calculates a depressive symptom score ranging from 0 (no depression symptoms) to 30 (severe depression symptoms). Threshold values greater than 13 are used to identify women at high risk for postpartum depression.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)2 months after delivery.Defined by a score greater than 33 on the IES-R (Impact of Event Scale - Revised) questionnaire or by the presence of all criteria from the DSM-IV (4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) (criteria A, B, C, D, E, and F) on the TES (Traumatic Event Scale). The IES-R measures the severity of PTSD symptoms over the past 7 days, with scores ranging from 0 (no PTSD symptoms) to 88 (extreme PTSD symptoms). The diagnosis of PTSD is made when the IES-R score is greater than 33. • Timeframe:
umbilical artery pHDay 1Incidence of umbilical artery pH of less than 7,05

Countries

France

Contacts

Primary ContactHanane Bouchghoul, MD
hanane.bouchghoul@chu-bordeaux.fr+335 57 82 16 12
Backup ContactLoic Sentilhes, MD, PhD
loic.sentilhes@chu-bordeaux.fr

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026