Correlation between first morning sample and 24-hour urinary estriol excretion.

The estriol concentration of a morning sample of urine from high-risk pregnant women was correlated with the total 24-hour estriol excretion. One hundred seventy sample pairs compared the estriol concentration of the morning specimen with those of a 24-hour specimen of the previous day, while 110 sample pairs compared the value of morning specimen with those of a 24-hour specimen of the following day. Although there is highly significant statistical correlation between those sample pairs, they are of modest magnitude. The mean values of the sample pairs are significantly different. Also, the morning sample estriol concentrations are significantly more variable than those of the 24-hour specimen.

Coagulation studies during second-trimester abortions induced by PGF2alpha.

PIP: Extensive coagulation studies have been carried out on patients undergoing second trimester abortions induced by prostaglandin F2alpha. 30 patients with intraamniotic instillation of PGF2alpha have been studied and an additional 10 patients who were aborted by the extraovular route. Blood samples were obtained before onset of medication and at frequent intervals after beginning of drug administration as well as at the time of abortion. Intraamniotic administration of PGF2alpha resulted in increased levels of fibrinogen, platelets, factors 8 and 5, profibrinolysin, and fibrinolytic inhibitors during the 24 hour period after beginning of medication. The rise in the coagulation factors is suggestive of mild inflammatory process not associated with infection. Most of the indices have returned to normal levels shortly after expulsion of the fetus and placenta. Only 1 patient receiving PGF2alpha showed evidence of fibrin monomer formation as determined by protamine sulfate precipitation. Extraovular results were similar. The results have been compared to those obtained in this laboratory following hypertonic saline. With saline the results show a decrease in many factors, indicating disseminated intravascular coagulation. PGF2alpha may provide a safer method of second trimester abortion as far as the coagulation mechanism is concerned than does hypertonic saline.^ieng