Does feticide shorten termination duration in second trimester pregnancy terminations?

Abstract

Backround A retrospective (case-controlled) study was conducted with the aim of identifying the effect of the use of misoprostol on termination time in patients who did and did not undergo feticide procedures in second trimester pregnancy terminations. Methods The sampling of the study consisted of 144 pregnant women who were diagnosed as having major fetal anomalies incompatible with life, and were recommended for termination of pregnancy. The investigation showed that feticide procedures were performed for 99 women, and feticide procedures were not performed for 45 women. Misoprostol protocol was administered for 48 hours in the termination period; whether the feticide procedure directly affected the termination duration in patients who did and did not undergo feticide was evaluated. Results Abortion/birth was achieved in 103 (71.5%) women during the first 48 hours. There was no significant difference between the termination duration of the misoprostol protocol among the women who did and did not undergo feticide. There was no significant difference between the termination durations and fetal biometric measurements (BPD, HC) except head diameters (p=0.020 and p=0.015). Conclusions The misoprostol protocol is shown to be effective and safe for the termination of pregnancies during the second trimester. Feticide has no affect on the duration of termination.

Prenatal and Obstetric Parameters of Late Terminations: A Retrospective Analysis

“…The most common causes cited in the literature for this type of psychosocial emergency experienced by pregnant women are very severe fetal abnormalities and/or genetic findings (e.g., trisomies). The most common abnormalities are chromosomal aberrations, structural CNS abnormalities, structural heart defects, and multiple malformations [6,7]. The Austrian Society of Pre-and Perinatal Medicine therefore describes feticide as a humanitarian, ethical, medical and legal form of late termination of pregnancy [8].…”

Infections, NCDS, and the scourge of cyclones and Ebola in sub-Saharan Africa

“…The theme then thrusts us into the issue of risk factors for still births in Pakistan24, prevention of postpartum haemorrhage25, and UTIs in pregnancy26, universal health access27, and feticide28. Newborn survival29, resuscitation30, malnutrition31, child health services in Uganda32, and vaccination coverage33 cap this section on child health.…”