Effects of intrapartum administration of invert sugar and D5LR on neonatal blood glucose levels

To compare the effects of D5LR and invert sugar administered intrapartum on neonatal blood glucose concentrations. This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. A total of 32 insulin-requiring diabetic patients were randomized to receive either intravenous 10% invert sugar or lactated Ringer's solution with 5% dextrose (D5LR). Regular insulin was given intravenously with an infusion pump to maintain the plasma glucose concentration between 60 and 90 mg/dl. Neonatal blood glucoses were measured at 30 minutes after birth, four times every hour, and thereafter as indicated. Student's t-test was used for continuous variables and Fisher's exact test was used for categorical data. There were no differences in neonatal blood glucose levels, incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia, or length of neonatal hospital stay between the two groups. Intrapartum administration of invert sugar is not associated with better neonatal homeostasis of glucose compared with using D5LR. Thus, given the expense of invert sugar, D5LR appears to be preferable for intrapartum control of maternal blood glucose.