Complication of hypertonic saline induction of abortion

Heart Lung. 1973 Jan-Feb;2(1):116-21.

Abstract

PIP: Case report of a healthy 15-year old female with an 18-week pregnancy who underwent a therapeutic abortion induced by intraamniotic injection of hypertonic saline. She suffered the most dangerous of the complications reported after hypertonic saline-induced abortion: an acute hypernatremic state. Marked shifts of the body fluids were triggered by the infusion of hypertonic saline, which rapidly gained access to the maternal circulation. Systemic injury and especially cerbral edema, pulmonary edema, and renal failure followed. Management was supportive of cerebral, cardiopulmonary, and renal function, and the patient recovered.

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Induced / adverse effects
  • Hypernatremia / chemically induced
  • Hypertonic Solutions / adverse effects
  • Sodium Chloride / adverse effects

Substances

  • Hypertonic Solutions
  • Sodium Chloride