Low-dose sulprostone for pregnancy termination in cases of fetal abnormality.
Thirty-two pregnancies (11 primi- and 21 multi-gravid) with an abnormal fetus were terminated between 16 and 35 weeks (mean 22 weeks; median 20 weeks) and a continuous intravenous infusion of 1 microgram of the prostaglandin analogue sulprostone. All pregnancies were terminated vaginally, 31 of them with this regimen in a median induction-expulsion interval of 23 h (range 8-52 h). Complete expulsion of the placenta occurred in 72 per cent of cases. Median blood loss was 100 ml (range 20-2000 ml). There were only a few side-effects. We conclude that this induction regimen is both appropriate and safe for pregnancy termination in cases of fetal anomaly.
Kanhai
H H
HH
Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Leiden, The Netherlands.
Keirse
M J
MJ
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000032:Abortion, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008614:Meperidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; C016767:sulprostone; D008614:Meperidine; D015232:Dinoprostone