Fetal and maternal energy metabolism during labor in relation to the available caloric substrate
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Abstract
Aim: To discuss maternal and fetal metabolic events during labor and the possible role of glucose administration.
Results: The oxidative pathway covers the largest part of the energy demand of labor, although in the second stage or, in polysystolic labor, the non-oxidative pathway becomes important as well. Glucose is the main maternal energy source, but the rise in ketobodies, even during normal labor, suggests a relative shortage. In the first stage of labor, a combination of a respiratory alkalosis, and to a lesser extent, a metabolic acidosis, result in a rise in the maternal pH. In the second stage of labor, the maternal pH decreases due to an increasing metabolic acidosis. Glucose is also the main fetal energetic fuel. In fetal hypoxia, lactate is produced, which in most cases is transferred to the maternal circulation. High maternal lactate concentrations, however, may interfere with this process. Furthermore, fetal hyperglycemia may lead to an increased fetal lactate production.
Conclusions: Maternal hyperglycemia, may lead to an increase in maternal and fetal lactate production resulting in metabolic acidosis. Unlike high dosage intravenous glucose administration, it is not likely that oral intake of carbohydrates leads to maternal and fetal hyperglycemia and subsequently to metabolic acidosis, but studies are rare.
Copyright © 2001 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG
Articles in the same Issue
- Author Index
- Subject Index
- Contents
- Fetal and maternal energy metabolism during labor in relation to the available caloric substrate
- Incidence of meconium aspiration syndrome in term meconium-stained babies managed at birth with selective tracheal intubation
- Predicting preterm delivery and lowering very preterm delivery rate
- Comparative effects of chronic exposure to glucose or sodium butyrate on surfactant development in fetal rabbits
- Eigenvector based spatial filtering of fetal biomagnetic signals
- Localization and quantification of adhesion molecule expression in the lower uterine segment during premature labor
- Is intrapartum vibroacoustic stimulation an effective predictor of fetal acidosis?
- Plasma adrenomedullin levels in pregnancies with appropriate for gestational age and small for gestational age infants
- Tissue concentrations of cytokines in the lower uterine segment during preterm parturition
- Effect of labor on maternal dehydration, starvation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis
- Changes in light-induced fluorescence of cervical collagen in guinea pigs during gestation and after sodium nitroprusside treatment
- Cardiotocography or Doppler in making delivery decision?
- Book review
- Congress Calendar
Articles in the same Issue
- Author Index
- Subject Index
- Contents
- Fetal and maternal energy metabolism during labor in relation to the available caloric substrate
- Incidence of meconium aspiration syndrome in term meconium-stained babies managed at birth with selective tracheal intubation
- Predicting preterm delivery and lowering very preterm delivery rate
- Comparative effects of chronic exposure to glucose or sodium butyrate on surfactant development in fetal rabbits
- Eigenvector based spatial filtering of fetal biomagnetic signals
- Localization and quantification of adhesion molecule expression in the lower uterine segment during premature labor
- Is intrapartum vibroacoustic stimulation an effective predictor of fetal acidosis?
- Plasma adrenomedullin levels in pregnancies with appropriate for gestational age and small for gestational age infants
- Tissue concentrations of cytokines in the lower uterine segment during preterm parturition
- Effect of labor on maternal dehydration, starvation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis
- Changes in light-induced fluorescence of cervical collagen in guinea pigs during gestation and after sodium nitroprusside treatment
- Cardiotocography or Doppler in making delivery decision?
- Book review
- Congress Calendar
