{
    "abstract": "Two cases of water intoxication assoicated with midtrimester induction of abortion with oxytocin are presented. Both patients recovered from this potentially fatal condition which is associated with acute hyponatraemia. Some of the pertinent literature is reviewed and the possible mechanisms of causation and measures for prevention and treatment are discussed.\nWater intoxication during or following oxytocin induced labor, albeit a rare event, can nevertheless cause potentially fatal complications or risk of neurological damage. Large doses of oxytocin plus large volumes of electrolyte-free solutions are the prime factors associated with water intoxication. Suggested treatment consists of hypertonic saline. Although circulatory overload and pulmonary oedema can occur from saline treatment it is believed that the risk of cerebral oedema is greater than risk from saline treatment. Prevention of water intoxication includes: 1) restriction of fluid intake; 2) monitoring of analgesia given; 3) interruption of continuous infusion; 4) fluid balance with control of serum electrolytes and osmolality; and 5) use of electrolyte-containing fluid as a vehicle for the oxytocin.",
    "authors": [
        {
            "affiliation": null,
            "firstname": "I",
            "initials": "I",
            "lastname": "Jensen"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": null,
            "firstname": "B J",
            "initials": "BJ",
            "lastname": "Bruns"
        }
    ],
    "conclusions": null,
    "copyrights": null,
    "doi": null,
    "journal": "The New Zealand medical journal",
    "keywords": [
        "Abortifacient Agents",
        "Abortion, Induced",
        "Biology",
        "Endocrine System",
        "Family Planning",
        "Fertility Control, Postconception",
        "Hormones",
        "Oxytocin",
        "Physiology",
        "Pituitary Hormones"
    ],
    "methods": null,
    "publication_date": "1979-04-25",
    "pubmed_id": "286925",
    "results": null,
    "title": "Water intoxication after oxytocin-induced midtrimester abortion.",
    "xml": "<Element 'PubmedArticle' at 0x788503c91170>"
}