The effect of maternal intravenous glucose administration on fetal activity

OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to objectively evaluate the effect of maternal intravenous glucoseinfusion on fetal activity. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-one volunteers at 30.7 ± 3.0 weeks' gestation were objectively evaluated forfetal activity with a Doppler monitor before and during an intravenous glucose test. Baseline fetal activity monitoring began 10 minutes before a fasting blood glucose level was obtained. A standard 1-hour intravenous glucose tolerance test was then performed, and fetal activity monitoring was continued for the duration of the test. Twenty-one women at 29.8 ± 3.0 weeks' gestation volunteered to serve as controls and were continuously monitored for fetal activity. The control patients did not receive intravenous glucose. RESULTS: Linear regression analysis revealed an increase in fetal activity in both groups; however, theincrease in the glucose infusion group was significantly greater than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal glucose infusion causes short-term stimulation of fetal activity; however, someother factor in the monitoring process also stimulates fetal activity. ( Am J Obstet Gynecol 1992;167: 1071–4.)