Extraamniotic prostaglandin F2 alpha for intrauterine death and fetal abnormality.

Prostaglandin F2 alpha was administered extraamniotically for termination of pregnancy in 15 cases of intrauterine fetal death between 18 and 39 wk gestation and in 10 cases of fetal abnormality or hydatidiform mole between 16 and 28 wk gestation. Although delivery was achieved with minimal side effects in all cases, the best results were obtained in patients with intrauterine fetal death. It is concluded that discontinuous extraamniotic prostaglandin therapy constitutes a safe and effective approach for the active management of intrauterine fetal death.