Electroencephalographic changes after intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2alpha and hypertonic saline

Six major convulsions have been seen among 555 patients who had therapeutic second trimester abortion by intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha). Five of 21 patients receiving intra-amniotic hypertonic saline and 5 of 16 patients receiving PGF2alpha showed abnormalities in electroencephalograms after treatment. These changes were relatively minor in all saline patients and in three receiving PGF2alpha, but two patients receiving PGF2alpha showed epileptiform spike activity after infusion. There was no correlation between the electroencephalographic (EEG) changes and peripheral venous levels of PGF2alpha or its metabolite, 13, 14 dihydro-15 keto PGF2alpha (15 keto-h2-f2alpha).