Maternal oxygen administration for fetal distress

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Neonatal Research
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Maternal oxygen administration is a common intervention for suspected fetal distress during labor.
• It is also used prophylactically during the second stage of labor, assuming this stage poses a high risk for fetal distress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of maternal oxygenation on fetal distress during labor.
• To assess the effects of prophylactic oxygen therapy in the second stage of labor on perinatal outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was conducted.
• Searches included the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register and reference lists of retrieved studies.
• Data were analyzed using relative risks and weighted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals.

Main Results:

• No trials were found for maternal oxygen therapy for fetal distress.
• Two trials on prophylactic oxygen administration during labor were included.
• Abnormal cord blood pH (<7.2) was significantly more frequent in the oxygenation group (RR 3.51, 95% CI 1.34 to 9.19).
• Conflicting conclusions existed regarding oxygen duration and umbilical artery pH.

Conclusions:

• Insufficient evidence supports prophylactic oxygen therapy in labor or for fetal distress.
• Urgent need for randomized trials to assess potential ineffectiveness or harm of oxygen administration during labor.