It has been known for long that the fetal blood glucose is related closely to that of mother during normal pregnancy and the former is lower than the latter. The transport of blood glucose - across the placenta7is directly influenced by maternal blood glucose level.
The fetal blood glucose level is influenced by endogenous and exogenous factors of the mother and the infant born with hypoglycemia is in an unfavorable condition during the neonatal period because glucose is only source of energy to. fetus. The fetal hypoglycemia is due to 1) the rapid utilization by the fetal tissues and 2) the placental extraction of glucose.
Eastman et al (193§), described that metabolic acidosis? during labor i is caused by hypoxia with abnormal changes in electrolytes such as hyperkalemia, low blood PH and high PCO2. Paterson (1967) reported that the administration of glucose :with bicarbonate improved metabolic acidosis of the newborn.
This experiment was carried out to learn the effect of, 5% dextrose.-in:water during labor on the mother-and fetus. The blood glucose of the mother: and fetus was evaluated in relation to the length of labor, presence of toxemia of pregnancy, protein-uria, gestation week andd fetal weight.
The blood glucose from the maternal vein and umbilical: vein was measured by.Folin-Wu´s method.
The following results were obtained from the experinent:
1. Mean values of the maternal and the fetal blood glucose. in 106 ´patients ´; were 124.9 and 92.3mg% respectively with significant difference. (P<0.001)
2. Blood glucose level,: of both the mother and fetus given glucose solution intravenously was significantly higher than in control group.(P<0.001, P<0.001)
3.The glucose level in the blood of the mother was not changed by the duration of labor, however, that of the fetus had a tendency to rise upto 20 hours and decreased after this time.
4. Blood glucose levels of toxemic mothers and their fetuses who were given glucose were fairly higher than the mean values of normal cases given glucose. Blood glucose level. of. mothers with proteinuria showed a tendency to be higher, and also was related to the degree of proteinuria in the mother. The values being higher with increased: proteinuria.
5. The maternal and fetal blood glucose levels maintained a same values by the length of gestation and birth weight.
The results suggest thiat the infusion of 5,dextrose in water during labor ele At -s-real blood glucose´ as well as fetal blood particularly in primigravid, and it can help to improve fetal condition particularly in prolonged labor.
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