title: Maternal and cord blood lactate and 3-hydroxybutyrate levels during labour in Nigerian women.
abstract: In this preliminary study, maternal and fetal blood lactate and 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB) levels were assayed by specific enzymatic spectrophotometric methods in two groups of parturient Nigerian women during the three labour stages and their newborn: (i) thirty two women with babies' Apgar score > or = 6, and, (ii) eighteen women with babies' Apgar scores á 5. Cord blood was collected within 1 min. of cord clamping. In all the patients there was a lactate gradient between the foetus and mother. Neonates with Apgar score < 5 had greater cord blood 3-OHB levels. This could indicate reduced utilisation and/or increased production of this metabolite. Since in states of glucose deprivation as could be found in placenta insufficiency, 3-OHB is utilised by the foetus for the synthesis of essential cerebral lipids. It is speculated that the immediate poor clinical condition of babies with low Apgar scores may be a consequence of reduced synthesis of these cerebral lipids as they were unable to utilise circulating 3-OHB. The rapid response to routine resuscitative measures in these newborn babies could also indicate improved 3-OHB utilisation secondary to an improved tissue oxygenation status. These hypotheses from the basis for further studies.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Ojengbede
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Akanji
authors.forename: B O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Osotimehin
mesh_terms: D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid; D000328:Adult; D001034:Apgar Score; D001724:Birth Weight; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000097:blood*; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood*; D019344:Lactic Acid; D009549:Nigeria; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D007773:Lactates; D019344:Lactic Acid; D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid