Abstract
BackgroundGlucose is the main source of energy for organ function in neonates. There are few published recent data on neonatal glucose levels during cesarean delivery.MethodsA case (cesarean delivery) -control (vaginal delivery) study was conducted at Khartoum Hospital Sudan to compare blood glucose levels of term newborns born after elective cesarean delivery with those born vaginally.ResultsCord blood glucose levels at delivery were significantly lower in women who had a cesarean delivery compared with those who delivered vaginally (99.8 ± 20.6 vs. 106.8 ± 11.1 mg/dl, P = 0.026), but there was no significant difference (97.8 ± 16.7 vs. 102.1 ± 9.6, P = 0.110) in newborn glucose levels at 2 hours after delivery between the groups. In linear regression, cesarean delivery (-6.475 mg/dl, P = 0.013) and maternal blood glucose levels at the time of delivery (+0.619 mg, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with mean cord glucose levels.ConclusionThis study shows that cord blood glucose levels are significantly lower in cesarean-delivered neonates than vaginally-delivered neonates. In addition, cord blood glucose levels are significantly associated with cesarean delivery and maternal blood glucose levels at delivery.Virtual SlidesThe virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/2011479878124993
Highlights
Glucose is the main source of energy for organ function in neonates
A similar finding was reported by Melkie and his colleagues who found that cord blood glucose levels were significantly higher in vaginally-delivered newborns than in cesarean-delivered newborns at delivery, with no significant difference at 2 hours after delivery [7]
These findings suggest that stress results in release of catecholamines during vaginal delivery [11,12]
Summary
Cord blood glucose levels at delivery were significantly lower in women who had a cesarean delivery compared with those who delivered vaginally (99.8 ± 20.6 vs. 106.8 ± 11.1 mg/dl, P = 0.026), but there was no significant difference (97.8 ± 16.7 vs. 102.1 ± 9.6, P = 0.110) in newborn glucose levels at 2 hours after delivery between the groups. In linear regression, cesarean delivery (−6.475 mg/dl, P = 0.013) and maternal blood glucose levels at the time of delivery (+0.619 mg, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with mean cord glucose levels.
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