Conservative treatment of intrapartum fetal acidosis with a betamimetic agent

• Published in: European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology Vol. 28; no. 3; pp. 185 - 190
• Main Authors: Cabero, Luis, Vaz-Romero, Miguel, Cerqueira, Maria-José, Bellart, Jorge, Durán-Sánchez, Pedro, Esteban-Altirriba, Juan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.07.1988; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acidosis - drug therapy; Apgar Score; Betamimetic drug; Biological and medical sciences; Delivery. Postpartum. Lactation; Disorders; Female; Fetal acidosis; Fetal Diseases - drug therapy; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Heart Rate, Fetal - drug effects; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Intrapartum fetal distress; Medical sciences; Pregnancy; Ritodrine - therapeutic use; Intrapartum fetal distress; Betamimetic drug; Fetal acidosis; Human; Chemotherapy; Fetal diseases; Treatment; Fetal distress; β-Adrenergic receptor agonist; Delivery; Sympathomimetic; Acid base balance disorder; Acidosis; Obstetrics
• ISSN: 0301-2115; 1872-7654
• DOI: 10.1016/0028-2243(88)90029-9

553 cases of intrapartum fetal acidosis (pH < 7.25) were treated with a betamimetic agent (ritodrine 250–300 μg/min). In 403 cases (72.8%), an improvement of fetal pH greater than 0.05 pH U was observed. Improvement was comparable in cases where the cause of fetal distress was abnormal uterine activity and in those where this was not the cause. Indeed, the recovery rate was the same, independent of the percentage of uterine activity inhibition. The neonatal condition was better in the pH recovered versus not recovered group. We suggest that conservative treatment of fetal distress with betamimetic drugs is a reasonable measure for improvement of fetal and neonatal condition.