Abstract
In order to evaluate the effect of a moderate fetal hyperglycemia on myocardial as well as red blood cell function, six fetal lamb preparations were made hyperglycemic after appropriate catheter insertions between the 120th and 130th day of gestation. A micro-tip transducer catheter was placed above the fetal aortic valve allowing recording of an acurate pressure curve on which systolic time intervals were measured. Fetal hyperglycemia was obtained by a continuous glucose infusion which was maintained between 2-7 days. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, reticulocyte count, P50 and 2,3-DPG were determined. The mean values showed the following significant changes (p<0.05): glucose increased from 15 to 51 mg%, O2 content dropped 25%; myocardial dysfunction was demonstrated by a prolongation of the pre-ejection period (PEP) (40.7 to 51.6 msec.) and changes in the PEP to ejection time ratio (0.25 to 0.33). The cardiac rythm, arterial pressure and pH remained unchanged. There was a significant correlation between the increase in PEP and the level of glycemia. This increase in PEP was not related to O2 content. Fetal hyperglycemia also caused reticulocytosis (0.4 to 3.5%) an increase in hemoglobin level (10.3 to 11.3 mg%) and a significant drop in 2-3 DPG level (5.05 to 3.05 μmol/gHb). This study demonstrates that fetal hyperglycemia effects myocardial function and causes an erythropoietic expansion. It also results in a drop of 2,3-DPG without a demonstrable effect on hemoglobin oxygen affinity.
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Bard, H., Fouron, JC. & Muylder, X. EFFECT OF HYPERGLYCEMIA ON MYOCARDIAL FUNCTION AS WELL AS RED BLOOD CELL PARAMETERS IN THE FETAL LAMB. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 118 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00152
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00152