Intravenous prostaglandin E2 and 16-phenoxy prostaglandin E2 methyl sulfonylamide for induction of fetal death in utero.

The efficacy of intravenously administered prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) compared to that of intravenously administered 16-phenoxy-17,18,19,20 tetranor prostaglandin E2 methyl sulfonylamide (SHB 286) for termination of fetal death in utero was evaluated in 20 pregnant women from 14 to 38 weeks' gestation. Ten subjects received 1 microgram of PGE2 per minute intravenously. This rate of infusion was doubled at hourly intervals up to 8 microgram per minute. Ten subjects received 0.25 microgram of SHB 286 per minute. This rate of infusion was doubled at hourly intervals up to 2 microgram per minute. It appears that the dosage schedules of PGE2 and SHB 286 were equally effective in inducing labor. Cumulative expulsion rates and mean induction times were similar in both groups. Rates of emesis were low in both groups. Either fever greater than 38.0 degrees C, or shivering, or phlebitis at the site of infusion was observed in three patients treated with PGE2 but in no patient receiving SHB 286.