Does fetal acidosis develop with maternal glucose infusion during normal labor?
Article Abstract:
Women who are about to give birth typically receive intravenous (IV) solutions to prevent dehydration and to deliver medications. Most IV fluids contain glucose (sugar). Fetal exposure to increased glucose levels in the mother's blood (hyperglycemia), resulting from glucose infusion, could lead to an increase in fetal lactic acid levels (a product of glucose metabolism). This, in turn, could cause acidosis (when the body's fluids become too acidic) and brain injury in the fetus. Does maternal glucose infusion lead to fetal acidosis? This was investigated by studying 136 women during delivery. Of these, 59 women received infusions of a 10 percent glucose solution, 66 received Ringer's solution (a salt solution of the same concentration as body fluids), and 11 had elective cesarean sections. The third group was included to study normal fetal and maternal blood values. Samples of maternal blood were taken at three time points: just prior to infusion; when the cervix (uterine neck) was completely dilated; and just after delivery. Blood samples were obtained from the fetal scalp at the time of complete cervical dilation, and from the newborn infant by sampling the umbilical cord blood. Results showed that women who received glucose developed hyperglycemia, as did their fetuses. In addition, the concentrations of lactate in these mothers became significantly higher at the time of full cervical dilation, with no difference, however, at delivery. Fetal lactate levels did not differ between the Ringer's and glucose-infused groups. The 11 women who underwent elective cesarean section (and their fetuses) had lower lactate levels than women in either the Ringer's or glucose groups. Fetal acid-base balance, however, did not differ between the glucose and Ringer's groups, even for fetuses who had signs of insufficient oxygen. Overall, glucose infused according to the protocol used in the study does not appear to lead to fetal acidosis. Faster glucose infusion rates could be dangerous, however. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0029-7844
Year: 1989
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
In vitro studies of uterine electrosurgery
Article Abstract:
When patients with dysfunctional uterine bleeding do not respond to drug therapy, they can be treated by hysterectomy (the surgical removal of the uterus) or by radiation of the ovaries. However, less radical approaches can now be used to treat dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Uterine electrosurgery is the removal or destruction of portions of the endometrium, the lining of the uterus, using an electrical current. Some advantages of this method include the fact it requires a shorter hospital stay and is less invasive and disabling. However, uterine electrosurgery may cause rupture and bleeding of the myometrium (muscle layer of the uterus); fluid accumulation in the tissues; and transmission of heat to nearby organs. These complications are related the extent to which the electric current penetrates the tissue. The ability of electrosurgery to destroy uterine cells and transmit heat was assessed using uterine tissue that was removed from women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding. The physical characteristics of the uterus of the patients were also examined. Electrosurgery produced a wound surrounded by a region of heat-induced tissue decay that increased with duration of exposure, but not intensity, of the electric current. Certain techniques were more effective in penetrating the tissue. Prolonged exposure to electrical currents enhanced cell death and caused more rapid increases in tissue temperature. The transmission of heat diminished with increasing distance from the electrical source and increased with greater intensity of the electric current. Repeated exposure to electrosurgery increased temperature of the tissue. The thickness of uterus of women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding ranged from 0.4 to 1.9 centimeters, depending on the specific site of the uterus measured. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0029-7844
Year: 1991
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
The influence of fetal number on antepartum uterine activity
Article Abstract:
The influence of the number of fetuses present in the uterus on the intensity of uterine contractions before the onset of labor was studied. Uterine activity was monitored at home by 54 women with a single fetus, 30 with twins, and 34 with triplets. Pre-labor contraction frequency increase significantly in the cases involving single and twin births, although fetal number seems to have no impact on pre-labor contraction intensity. High-risk single pregnancies with term labor were associated with lower baseline contraction frequencies than triplet and twin pregnancies with term labor.
Publication Name: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0029-7844
Year: 1989
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: The effect of maternal position on fetal heart rate during epidural or intrathecal labor analgesia. A comparison of intermittent and continuous support during labor: a meta-analysis
- Abstracts: Does heavy marijuana use impair human cognition and brain function? Sports-related recurrent brain injuries - United States
- Abstracts: Recent developments in restorative dental ceramics. Medicare: trends in reimbursing hospital dental practices
- Abstracts: Federal Statistical Coordination Today: A Disaster or a Disgrace? States' Responses to Federal Health Care 'Block Grants': The First Year
- Abstracts: A randomized trial of combination therapy with intralesional interferon-alpha-2b and podophyllin versus podophyllin alone for the therapy of anogenital warts