The effects of gemeprost on the second trimester fetus.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether the use of gemeprost is associated with histological changes in the second trimester fetus.

SETTING:

Histopathology department of a university hospital.

DESIGN:

Retrospective comparison of histological features in fetuses aborted following maternal administration of gemeprost, with those in fetuses after spontaneous miscarriage.

OUTCOME MEASURES:

Degree of tissue fragmentation; other histological abnormalities.

RESULTS:

Significantly greater fragmentation of the liver was found in fetuses exposed to gemeprost (P = 0.046). Nonsignificant effects were found for brain (P = 0.082) and heart (P = 0.183), and no effect was seen on the kidney, adrenal and lung. No other significant histological differences were found between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study is the first to document an effect of gemeprost on the fetus, but confirmation is required in further studies. Other implications are discussed.

• Authors: E J Lazda, V R Sams
• Journal: British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology (Br J Obstet Gynaecol) Vol. 102 Issue 9 Pg. 731-4 (Sep 1995) ISSN: 0306-5456 [Print] England
• PMID: 7547765 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal
• gemeprost
• Alprostadil

Topics

• Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal (pharmacology)
• Alprostadil (analogs & derivatives, pharmacology)
• Autolysis
• Female
• Fetus (drug effects, pathology)
• Humans
• Male
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Trimester, Second
• Retrospective Studies