Open AccessAcid‐Base and Electrolyte Balance in Infants of Diabetic Mothers
Author(s) -
Thalme B.,
Edström K.,
Broberger U.,
Engström L.,
Kretzschmar G.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016347509156744
Subject(s) - medicine , caesarean section , metabolic acidosis , vaginal delivery , pregnancy , acidosis , obstetrics , diabetes mellitus , endocrinology , genetics , biology
Abstract. The acid‐base and electrolyte balance of 30 women was studied at delivery and in their infants during the first 48 h. 18 women were diabetics, 10 of these were delivered vaginally (DM vag ) and 8 by elective caesarean section (DM cs ). 12 healthy women were vaginally delivered (HM vag ). The infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) received active infusion therapy. At birth the DM vag and their infants (IDM vag ) had a more pronounced metabolic acidosis than the DM cs and their babies (IDM cs ). The largest metabolic acidosis occurred, however, in the group of HM vag and their infants (IHM vag ). After birth no significant differences were obtained in the acid‐base and electrolyte balance between IDM vag and IDM cs. The plasma potassium level remained lower in IDM than in IHM. The study stresses the importance of adequate management of diabetes in pregnancy in combination with active intravenous therapy during delivery and to the infant in the immediate neonatal period. The slightly larger metabolic acidosis seen in combination with vaginal delivery suggests that this mode of delivery should not be attempted uncritically in diabetic women.