Ketone Bodies in Fetal and Maternal Blood During Parturition

Abstract

Summary: Ketone bodies in fetal and maternal blood were studied in 23 normal women during parturition. There was a highly significant positive linear relationship between levels of ketone bodies in fetal and maternal blood, but no relationship could be shown between the level of ketone bodies and acid‐base status in either maternal or fetal blood. The level of total ketone bodies in maternal blood was significantly related to the length of labour. Quantitatively, the major ketone body in maternal and fetal blood was β‐hydroxybutyric acid.