Retinal hemorrhages in the newborn following labor induced by oxytocin or dinoprostone.

We examined the fundi of 100 newborns following labor induced by intravenous oxytocin or by oral dinoprostone. Retinal hemorrhage was observed in 40% of neonates in the dinoprostone treatment group, as compared with 28% in the oxytocin treatment group. The accumulation of prostaglandins in the fetal circulation may be responsible for the hemorrhages, which clear spontaneously once the noxious agent is metabolized. Other organ systems must be carefully examined in the neonate to detect other possible untoward effects.