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Does fetal acidosis develop with maternal glucose infusion during normal labor?
F Piquard1, R Hsiung, A Schaefer
1Department of Physiology, Louis Pasteur University, Strasbourg, France.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|December 1, 1989
Summary
Maternal glucose infusion does not cause fetal acidosis. Fetal acidosis during labor is primarily caused by hypoxia, not glucose administration, according to this study on normal deliveries.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Fetal Physiology
- Neonatal Medicine
Background:
- Maternal glucose administration during labor is common.
- The impact of glucose infusion on fetal acid-base balance requires clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of maternal glucose infusion on fetal acid-base status.
- To differentiate the causes of fetal acidosis: glucose administration versus hypoxia.
Main Methods:
- 125 normal deliveries were analyzed.
- Maternal plasma glucose and fetal acid-base parameters were measured after infusion of glucose or Ringer's solution.
- Fetal plasma lactate levels were also assessed.
Main Results:
- Glucose infusion significantly increased maternal and fetal plasma glucose levels.
- Fetal plasma lactate was lower in fetuses delivered via cesarean section.
- While glucose infusion led to higher fetal pCO2 and lower pH, the magnitude of acid-base changes did not differ significantly compared to Ringer's solution.
- No differences in acid-base parameters were observed in fetuses with hypoxia between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Maternal glucose administration at 30 g/hour does not appear to cause fetal acidosis.
- Fetal acidosis, when present, is likely a consequence of hypoxia rather than maternal glucose infusion.
- These findings suggest that glucose administration is safe concerning fetal acid-base balance in normal deliveries.