Effects of Intragastric and Intravenous Sodium Bicarbonate on Rate of Recovery from Post-asphyxial Acidosis in the Neonate

Abstract

A trial was carried out on acidotic infants recovering from neonatal asphyxia, on the relative effects of intragastric and intravenous sodium bicarbonate on acid/base balance. Intragastric bicarbonate caused an increased rate of correction of metabolic acidosis within 30 minutes of administration. However, the Pco₂ remained higher in these patients than in the controls, so that the effect of the bicarbonate on rate of <i>p</i>H correction was negligible. The rise in Pco₂ occurred despite apparently normal respiratory function. A similar limitation of <i>p</i>H rise by a sustained rise in Pco₂ was evident in the intravenously treated patients. Treatment of metabolic acidosis in neonates with sodium bicarbonate may not produce the desired correction of <i>p</i>H.