Abstract
The diffusion rate of hydrogen gas was measured in the brain of the pregnant guinea pig, fetal brain, and neonatal brain and kidney, using a platinum black electrode to evaluate blood flow. The diffusion rate of H 2 was decreased in the fetal brain during surgical trauma, uterine contractions, labor, and delivery, but diffusion rate in the maternal brain was not affected, except slightly toward the end of labor. Nembutal, morphine, and Thorazine decreased the H 2 diffusion more markedly in the fetal than in the adult brain. Hypoxic and hypercarbic gas mixtures increased the rate of H 2 diffusion in fetal and maternal brain, whereas hyperoxic gas mixtures tended to produce opposite effects. Increased intracranial pressure decreased the rate of H 2 diffusion in the brain more than in the kidney of the neonate. Following release of pressure, H 2 diffused more rapidly in the brain than in the kidney. These results are interpreted to mean that the fetal hypoxia produced by increased intracranial pressure, labor, delivery and the drugs is due to diminished blood flow.
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