Mid-second-trimester labor induction: concentrated oxytocin compared with prostaglandin E2 vaginal suppositories

Article Abstract:

Second-trimester pregnancies can be terminated by several methods, each of which has advantages and disadvantages; one is the use of suppositories made of prostaglandins (PGs), hormones with a variety of physiological effects. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) induces uterine contractions, but is also associated with severe side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, acute episodes of very high or very low blood pressure, constriction of the airway (bronchospasm), and heart attack. Oxytocin is a pituitary hormone used to induce labor after 28 weeks of gestation, but it is not usually used earlier in pregnancy because the uterus at those times is unresponsive to the hormone at the concentrations commonly used. However, reports suggest that higher levels of oxytocin may be effective in the second trimester. The effectiveness and outcomes of the use of PGE2 and oxytocin were compared in a review of the records of 81 women for whom abortions were performed between 17 and 24 weeks' gestation. Fifty-nine women received PGE2 suppositories and 22 received concentrated oxytocin. Labor was not induced in four of the women in the PGE2 group (6.7 percent failure rate), compared with failure in two of the oxytocin group (9.1 percent failure). In cases where failure occurred, the alternate therapy was effective. The time between labor induction and delivery was shorter in women given oxytocin. Nausea, vomiting, fever, and diarrhea were experienced by many of the women who took PGE2, but by few of those who took oxytocin. Complications such as the need for transfusions, retained placenta, and narcotic dose were similar in the two groups. Two patients given PGE2 developed severe complications (bronchospasm and hypertension or hypotension) and were then treated uneventfully with oxytocin. The study suggests that concentrated oxytocin may be an effective alternative to PGE2 for labor induction in second-trimester pregnancies, but more research is needed to confirm this. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Methods, Evaluation, Oxytocin, Labor, Induced (Obstetrics), Induced labor, Prostaglandins E

---

The effect of zinc supplementation on pregnancy outcome

Article Abstract:

Zinc supplements during pregnancy appear to promote an increase in babies' birth weight and head size among women whose body mass is lower than average. A total of 580 African-American pregnant women received either 25 mg. zinc sulfate supplement or placebo. Both groups received a multivitamin with iron, folic acid, and other minerals. Study participants underwent an ultrasound evaluation that measured the head circumference of the fetus. Body mass index of the pregnant women was calculated based on height and weight. Zinc supplements were linked with an increase in birth weight of 128 g and head circumference of .49 cm in women with a body mass index of less than 26 kg/m2. In all the women studied, zinc supplements increased birth weight and head circumference, but not significantly. Zinc plasma levels were higher among women receiving zinc supplements. Routine zinc supplementation is recommended in pregnancy.

Infants (Newborn), Newborn infants, Pregnancy, Zinc, Zinc (Metal)

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Continuous infusion gallium nitrate for patients with advanced refractory urothelial tract tumors. Two-drug therapy in patients with metastatic germ cell tumors
• Abstracts: Association of perioperative myocardial ischemia with cardiac morbidity and mortality in men undergoing noncardiac surgery
• Abstracts: First-trimester transabdominal multifetal pregnancy reduction: a report of 85 cases. Transabdominal multifetal pregnancy reduction: report of 40 cases
• Abstracts: Bone marrow transplantation: what is the question? Chemotherapy compared with bone marrow transplantation for adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first remission
• Abstracts: Chronic ulcerations following topical therapy with 5-fluorouracil for vaginal human papillomavirus-associated lesions

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.