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INTRAUTERINE
GROWTH RESTRICTION |
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 1991 Sep 1;1(5):331-5.
Continuous maternal hyperoxygenation in the treatment of early fetal growth
retardation.
Ribbert LS, van Lingen RA, Visser GH.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Neonatology, University
Hospital Groningen, Oostersingel 59, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Continuous maternal hyperoxygenation treatment (2.5 l/min by means of a
nasopharyngeal cannula) was given in four patients presenting with
intrauterine growth-retarded (IUGR) fetuses and decelerative fetal heart
rate (FHR) patterns at 27-28 weeks of gestation. The effect of maternal
hyperoxia was studied longitudinally. Neither the incidence of generalized
fetal movements (FGM%) nor the pulsatility index of the internal carotid
artery increased under hyperoxia. In fact, both variables decreased
progressively. FHR variation was abnormal prior to the start of
hyperoxygenation and showed a slight but transient increase. On average,
maternal hyperoxygenation 'resulted' in a prolongation of the duration of
pregnancy of 9 days. The neonatal mortality was similar in the study group
as compared to a control group of IUGR infants. However, hypoglycemia,
thrombocytopenia and disseminated intravascular coagulation at birth were
found more frequently in the study group. Conversely, blood gas
abnormalities were less frequent in the fetuses of mothers that were treated
with oxygen. We conclude that positive effects of oxygen therapy in IUGR
fetuses remain uncertain and that detrimental effects due to prolongation of
intrauterine malnutrition have not as yet been sufficiently excluded.
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