Effect of maternal intrapartum glucose therapy on neonatal blood glucose levels and neurobehavioral status of hypoglycemic term newborn infants.

Two groups of 45 term, vaginally delivered infants were studied to determine effect of maternal intrapartum glucose therapy on neonatal blood glucose level at birth and at one and 2 hours of age. Twenty-three infants whose mother received glucose infusion prior to delivery (study group) had a significantly higher mean cord blood glucose level, lower 2 hour blood glucose levels and about three times higher incidence of hypoglycemia (glucose level less than or equal to 2.2 mmol/l) as compared to 22 infants whose mothers did not receive any glucose or fluid therapy. Neurobehavioral evaluation of the infants at 1 and 2 hour demonstrated, a significant association between hypoglycemia and a low muscle tone score and a delayed habituation to various stimuli. Blood glucose levels must be routinely monitored in infants whose mother receive glucose infusion prior to delivery to detect and treat early neonatal hypoglycemia.