[Labor induction in intrauterine fetal death]

The particulars of 78 patients with fetal demise of the last 14 years were evaluated retrospectively. The most important reason of fetal death was hypoxaemia or anoxaemia. 31 patients were delivered by cesarean section or had spontaneous uterine contractions. Induction of 47 abortions were started with oxytocin or prostaglandins. Within 12 hours 54% of the oxytocin and 67% of the prostaglandin group succeeded in spontaneous delivery. In both groups there were 5 management failure of therapy, so that alternative medication or a cesarean section lead to delivery.