Use of prostaglandin E2 vaginal suppositories in intrauterine fetal death and missed abortion.

Twenty patients with either missed abortions or intrauterine fetal death were induced with prostaglandin (PGE2) vaginal suppositories. The uterus is surprisingly responsive to PGE2 in cases of intrauterine death, yielding a short treatment-delivery interval. Blood coagulopathies which can develop after intrauterine death can be avoided through early diagnosis and treatment. Eighteen patients completely delivered and there were no serious complications. The remaining 2 patients required curettage. Side effects were mild in nature, consisting of occasional gastrointestinal symptoms. This method is now a standard procedure in cases of intrauterine fetal death and missed abortion at Yale-New Haven Medical Center.