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Structural and Bacteriological Studies of IUD Tails

Howard J. Tatum, MD, PhD; Frederick H. Schmidt, MA; David Phillips, PhD; Maclyn McCarty, MD; William M. O'Leary, PhD

JAMA. 1975;231(7):711-717.

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.

(JAMA 231:711-717, 1975)

Author Affiliations
From the Population Council (Drs. Tatum and Phillips and Mr. Schmidt), the Rockefeller University (Dr. McCarty), and the Cornell University Medical College (Dr. O'Leary), New York.

Footnotes
Read in part before the Milwaukee Gynecological Society meeting held in Milwaukee on Nov 5, 1974.

Reprint requests to The Population Council, the Rockefeller University, York Ave and 66 St, New York, NY 10021 (Dr. Tatum).

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