Effect of frusemide on fetal urine production

Hourly fetal urinary production rate (HFUPR) was measured by an ultrasonic technique in 12 antenatal patients before and after intravenous administration of 60 mg. of frusemide. In 8 patients pregnancy was normal and in 4 there was clinical evidence of fetal growth retardation. The duration of pregnancy varied from 32 to 41 weeks. The increase in HFUPR was 80 to 150 per cent in normal patients and 95 to 131 per cent in patients with fetal growth retardation. The increase in HFUPR seemed to have no impact on fetal circulatory volume, as the fetal heart rate stayed normal throughout the study period.