Assessment of fetal cord blood acid-base status following intrapartum maternal glucose infusion

Abstract

Background and Aim: Supplementation of intravenous fluids is associated with with increased incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia. However, WHO guideline recommends no restriction of liquid or solid food to a parturient mother. Therefore, the aim of the study is to compare fetal acid-base status and neonatal blood glucose levels following intrapartum infusion of ringer lactate (RL) solution or dextrose normal saline (DNS) solution in active labor. Methods: It is a prospective, analytical study conducted on hundred women in active labor and they were randomly allocated into two groups. First group (Group A) received intravenous infusion of DNS, and the other group (Group B) was given RL infusion for at least 1 h before delivery. Results: There was no significant difference in fetal acid-base status between the two groups although neonatal blood glucose levels were higher in the DNS group (Group A). Conclusion: Intrapartum infusion of DNS can raise neonatal blood glucose level but does not cause fetal acidosis or any alteration in fetal acid-base status.