Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the evolution of metabolic effects associated with intravenous salbutamol infusion given together with 2 doses of intramuscular steroids in the treatment of preterm labour Methods: Preterm labour was inhibited with an intravenous infusion of salbutamol in 8 women between 26 and 32+6 weeks with normal singleton pregnancies. Serum glucose concentration, serum potassium, sodium and insulin concentrations, and total white cell count both during the infusion as well as post-therapy, were plotted against time. Results: Intravenous salbutamol infusion administered at a rate required to inhibit uterine contractions in preterm labour causes a rise in serum glucose and plasma insulin concentrations. The serum glucose and plasma insulin levels peaked soon after cessation of therapy and took 2-3 hours to come to pre-infusion levels. The decline in serum potassium concentration was gradual and plateaued after 2 hours. Once the salbutamol infusion was stopped the potassium levels were back to normal by 2 hours. There is an increase in total white cell count within an hour of the initiation of therapy. Conclusion: There is no need to administer insulin for hyperglycemia and/or potassium for hpyokalaemia unless the patient is a known diabetic or when a patient needs immediate surgery.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 381-387 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 4 |
Publication status | Published - Aug 1997 |
Keywords
- Hyperglycaemia
- Hypokalaemia
- Infusion
- Preterm labour