Suppression of uterine activity with salbutamol before caesarean section

In 32 patients undergoing emergency intrapartum caesarean section labour was suppressed with 250 micrograms salbutamol. The biochemical status of the neonates was compared with that of 15 controls. The initial results did not demonstrate a major difference between the two groups, but when only proven cases of fetal distress (H less than 7,25) in the two groups were compared, a significant improvement in the PO, pH and base deficit values in the umbilical vein as well as in the PO2 and pH values in the umbilical artery was noted in the group which had been given salbutamol. No major maternal side-effects were noted and this, together with the simplicity of the regimen, makes it a valuable temporizing measure in such cases.