Effect of intravenous administration of Ringer's lactate on maternal capillary blood glucose before elective cesarean section
Chestnut, D.H.; Bates, J.N.; Choi, W.W.
Journal of Reproductive Medicine 32(3): 191-193
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0024-7758 PMID: 3572900 Document Number: 296736
Capillary blood glucose concentrations were determined before and after intravenous infusion of 20 mL/kg of Ringer's lactate (RL) in 35 women scheduled for elective cesarean section. Mean (+/- SD) capillary blood glucose concentrations before and after infusion of RL were 84.7 +/- 13.2 and 89.0 +/- 16.5 mg/dL, respectively (P = NS). No parturient had a glucose level less than 60 mg/dL before or after infusion of RL. There were no instances of neonatal hypoglycemia. We conclude that large volumes of RL without dextrose may be rapidly infused into healthy pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean section without risk of dilutional hypoglycemia in the mother or neonate.