Influence of administration of 1 % glucose solution on neonatal blood glucose concentration in cesarean section

Perioperative administration of adequate glucose prevents hypercatabolism. However, excessive glucose administration until delivery of a fetus might cause newborn hypoglycemia in cesarean section. In this retrospective study, we investigated whether the administration of 1 % glucose solution during cesarean section influenced neonatal blood glucose concentration. We found 46 consecutive patients between 37 and 41 weeks of gestation who underwent cesarean section under combined epidural and spinal anesthesia. We divided the patients into two groups: those receiving 1 % glucose solution (group A, N = 23) and those receiving a solution without glucose (group B, N = 23) until delivery. We recorded umbilical cord blood glucose on delivery, neonatal blood glucose level 3 h after delivery, and 1- and 5-min Apgar scores. The dose of glucose administered until delivery of fetus in group A was 3.6 ± 1.7 mg/kg/min [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] and that in group B 0 mg/kg/min. Umbilical cord blood glucose concentration on delivery of fetus in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (101 ± 19 vs. 66 ± 10 mg/dl; P < 0.0001). Neonatal blood glucose level 3 h after delivery was not significantly different between groups (90 ± 15 vs. 90 ± 21 mg/dl; P = 0.96). The 1- and 5-min Apgar scores were similar between groups. In conclusion, administration of 1 % glucose solution in cesarean section might contribute to prevention of neonatal hypoglycemia.