Obstetrics and gynecology
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Obstetrics and gynecology · May 1984
Use of intravenous fluids before cesarean section: effects on perinatal glucose, insulin, and sodium homeostasis.
Perinatal glucose, insulin, and sodium homeostases were assessed in relation to antepartum intravenous infusions administered to 59 normal mothers undergoing cesarean section at term without labor under epidural anesthesia. Group A (N = 20) received 1 L of Ringer's lactate without dextrose during one hour; group B (N = 20), 1 L of 5% dextrose in water during one hour; and group C (N = 19), 1 L of 5% dextrose in water during two and one half hours. ⋯ Among group A patients who received sodium, and group B and C patients who did not, fetal hyponatremia (umbilical venous sodium 130 mEq/L or less) correlated with the absence of sodium in the prepartum infusion. The results suggest that the antepartum administration of a balanced electrolyte solution without excess glucose infusion can minimize the incidence of fetal hyperglycemia and hyponatremia and neonatal hypoglycemia.