Effect of intravenous administration of Ringer's lactate on maternal capillary blood glucose before elective cesarean...

Capillary blood glucose concentrations were determined before and after intravenous infusion of 20 mL/kg of Ringer's lactate (RL) in 35 women scheduled for elective cesarean section. Mean (+/- SD) capillary blood glucose concentrations before and after infusion of RL were 84.7 +/- 13.2 and 89.0 +/- 16.5 mg/dL, respectively (P = NS). No parturient had a glucose level less than 60 mg/dL before or after infusion of RL. There were no instances of neonatal hypoglycemia. We conclude that large volumes of RL without dextrose may be rapidly infused into healthy pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean section without risk of dilutional hypoglycemia in the mother or neonate.