PROLONGED INDUCTION TO DELIVERY TIME IN TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY USING 16,16-DIMETHYL-PGE(1)-METHYL ESTER (GEMEPROST) FOR FETUSES WITH A NEURAL-TUBE DEFECT OR HYDROCEPHALUS

A retrospective study is reported comparing the induction to delivery interval using gemeprost for termination of pregnancy, in the second t rimester, in 3 groups of patients. It was observed that the mean induc tion to delivery interval was significantly longer in 75 pregnancies w here there was a fetus with a neural tube defect and or hydrocephalus (31.7 hours) compared with 88 pregnancies with other fetal abnormaliti es (19.7 hours) and 84 pregnancies where there was an intrauterine dea th (11.3 hours). There was also an increase in the requirements for fu rther intervention to obtain delivery in the group with a neural tube defect or hydrocephalus (n=33) compared with where there was an intrau terine fetal death (n=4) and other abnormality (n=14). We believe thes e results should be considered when counselling patients who have requ ested termination of pregnancy for fetal abnormalities.