Forum Maternal and neonatal blood glucose after crystalloid loading for epidural Caesarean section

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Abstract
Summary: Serial blood glucose estimations were made in 30 women undergoing elective Caesarean section under epidural anaesthesia, 2 litres of Hartmannb solution having been rapidly infused as a circulatory preload. Neonatal blood glucose estimations were made of cord blood at birth and 1 and 2 hours post delivery. A smull rise in maternal blood glucose occurred during the period of preloading and time before delivery, which was not statistically significant (p<0.05). There was no biochemical or clinical evidence of neonatal liypoglwaemia. We conclude that despite rapid infusion of non‐dextrose crystalloid solution there is neither danger of u relative maternal hypoglycaemia in fasted mothers nor neonatal hypoglycaemia, and offer an argument that even small amounts of dextrose contained in any preloading mixture are unnecessary.