Association Between Lactate Concentration in Amniotic Fluid and Dysfunctional Labor

Abstract

Objectives. To assess whether there is an association between high lactate concentration in amniotic fluid (AF) and labor dystocia. Design. Prospective observational study. Setting. Labor ward at General South Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Population and methods. Women in active labor attending labor ward, having at least two consecutive measurements of lactate concentration in AF, measured 60 minutes apart. Main outcome measure. Dysfunctional labor, defined as instrumental or operative delivery due to dystocia. Results. Among women with spontaneous vaginal deliveries (n=23) the mean lactate concentration in AF during labor was 8.9 mmol/l (range 6.6–10.8), and among women with operative delivery due to labor dystocia (n=31) the corresponding value was 10.9 mmol/l (range 8.0–16.1) (p<0.001). Of 29 women with a high lactate concentration (≥10.1 mmol/l) in at least two consecutive measures collected at least 60 minutes apart, 25 (86%) were delivered instrumentally/operatively due to dystocia. Using this defin...