Induction of Labour and Abortion by Intravenous Prostaglandins in Pregnancies Complicated by Mtra-Uterine Foetal Death and Hydatidiform Mole

Summary

In a study of 32 patients, there were 29 cases of intra-uterine foetal death and 3 cases of hydatidiform mole. The intravenous administration of either prostaglandin E₁, E₂ or F_2x successfully induced labour in 29 out of the 32 cases. Two patients delivered following additional intravenous oxytocin and there was one failure due to the development of upper limb cyanosis. Side-effects included vomiting, phlebitis, facial flushing, rigors, pyrexia and uterine hypertonus. The method confirms the high success rates reported previously but the incidence of side-effects was disturbing. It is emphasised that prostaglandin E₁ was used during this original research trial when prostaglandins were first investigated clinically. Prostaglandin E^ has not been made available commercially.

Key words: :

• Prostaglandins
• labour
• induced
• foetal death
• hydatidiform mole