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Continuous maternal hyperoxygenation in the treatment of early fetal growth retardation
Author(s) -
Ribbert L. S. M.,
van Lingen R. A.,
Visser G. H. A.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-0705.1991.01050331.x
Subject(s) - medicine , fetal growth , fetus , growth retardation , obstetrics , intensive care medicine , pregnancy , genetics , biology
Continuous maternal hyperoxygenation treatment (2.5 l/min by means of a nasopharyngeal cannula) was given in four patients presenting with intrauterine growth‐retarded (IUGR) fetuses and decelerative fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns at 27–28 weeks of gestation. The effect of maternal hyperoxia was studied longitudinally. Neither the incidence of generalized fetal movements (FGM%) nor the pulsatility index of the internal carotid artery increased under hyperoxia. In fact, both variables decreased progressively. FHR variation was abnormal prior to the start of hyperoxygenation and showed a slight but transient increase. On average, maternal hyperoxygenation ‘resulted’ in a prolongation of the duration of pregnancy of 9 days. The neonatal mortality was similar in the study group as compared to a control group of IUGR infants. However, hypoglycemia, thrombocytopenia and disseminated intravascular coagulation at birth were found more frequently in the study group. Conversely, blood gas abnormalities were less frequent in the fetuses of mothers that were treated with oxygen. We conclude that positive effects of oxygen therapy in IUGR fetuses remain uncertain and that detrimental effects due to prolongation of intrauterine malnutrition have not as yet been sufficiently excluded. Copyright © 1991 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology