Arterio-venous differences in cord levels of catecholamines, glucose, lactate and blood gases.

Background: Norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI) levels are higher in cord arterial blood relative to venous blood, consistent with active mechanisms of placental-maternal clearance. There are no contemporary studies of cord arteriovenous blood levels of sulfated and non-sulfated catechols.

Aim: To assess the arteriovenous differences in cord blood levels of dopamine (DA), the sulfated catecholamines and their sulfated and non-sulfated metabolites.

Maternal and fetal factors which influence cord blood glucose levels in term infants delivered by cesarean section.

Aim: To assess factors contributing to cord venous glucose homeostasis in term infants delivered by elective cesarean section.

Methods: Observational study of women-infant pairs at delivery. Biochemical and clinical data were collected about factors which might affect the levels of glucose, lactate, norepinephrine, epinephrine, cortisol, human growth hormone, glucagon, and insulin.

Cohort study of the decision to delivery interval and neonatal outcome for emergency operative vaginal delivery.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess whether a target decision to delivery interval (DDI) is appropriate for 'emergency' operative vaginal delivery and whether this would reduce adverse neonatal outcomes.

Study Design: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 1021 singleton term babies who experienced operative delivery for 'fetal distress' in the second stage of labor between 1998 and 2003 in Dundee, Scotland.

Results: The mean DDI in a labor room was 14.

Glucose homeostasis in the newborn.

Hepatic glucose production by glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis is essential to maintain blood glucose levels, and the glucose-6-phosphatase system catalyses the terminal step of both pathways. Developmental delays in the postnatal up-regulation of hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase enzyme activity are common in preterm infants. Two groups of infants have been identified with failure of developmental regulation of glucose homeostasis.