PLASMA NON‐ESTERIFIED FATTY ACIDS, CORTISOL AND GLUCOSE IN MATERNAL BLOOD DURING ABORTION INDUCED WITH INTRA‐AMNIOTIC PROSTAGLANDIN F_2α

Abstract

Serial estimations were made of plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and glucose in 43 patients, and of plasma cortisol in 27 patients, during mid-trimester abortions induced with intra-amniotic prostaglandin F,, (PGF,,). The mean plasma concentrations of NEFA, cortisol and glucose showed rises after PGF,,. There was no relation between these rises and the induction-delivery interval, signs of fetal distress or of intrauterine fetal death. The changes in plasma NEFA were related to the fasting level and there was an inverse relation between the changes and the patients' weight. A positive correlation existed between the change in plasma concentrations of cortisol and glucose.