The Dalkon Shield Controversy
- 17 February 1975
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Medical Association (AMA) in JAMA
- Vol. 231 (7), 711-717
- https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1975.03240190015009
Abstract
The recent report of 209 cases of septic spontaneous abortion and 11 maternal deaths in the United States in women using the Dalkon Shield intrauterine device (IUD) raised the question about a possible causal relationship between the IUD and pelvic sepsis. It is essential to determine whether or not this sepsis is unique to the Dalkon Shield or generic to all types of IUDs. Our studies permit the conclusion that the tail of the Dalkon Shield is structurally and functionally different from the tails of the four other IUDs tested. The unique characteristics of the Dalkon tail theoretically could provide a mechanism whereby pathogenic bacteria from the vagina enter the uterine cavity and cause sepsis. (JAMA231:711-717, 1975)Keywords
This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit:
- Dalkon Shield Affair: A Bad Lesson in Science and Decision-MakingScience, 1974
- Anaerobic infections of the female genital tract: Bacteriologic and therapeutic aspectsAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1973
- A Study of the Intrauterine Contraceptive Device with and without an Extracervical Appendage or TailFertility and Sterility, 1970
- The effect of an intrauterine contraceptive device on the bacterial flora of the endometrial cavityAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1964