Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia following the use of oxytocin in labour

ABSTRACT

90 full term pregnant mothers aged 18-35 years with non-complicated normal pregnancy, they were divided into 3 groups - 30 patients were given syntocinon drip for induction of labour. - 30 patients were given syntocinon for acceleration of labour. - 30 patients had spontaneous labour and not given syntocinon and considered as control group. Mothers with possible maternofetal blood group iso immunisation were excluded. The babies were healthy full term with gestational age of 38-41 weeks, birth weight of 2.8-3.8 Kg, and with Apgar score of 7 or more at one minute. Blood sample was taken from the newborn at birth and after 72 hours for total bilirubin level. It was found that all cases of the first group showed highly significant results when compared to the control group. In the second group the results are not highly significant when compared to the control group. Oxytocin may induce neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in cases of induced labour of normal pregnant women. It is advisable to avoid unnecessary use of oxytocin in labour unless it is really indicated and to keep its total dose to a minimum and to limit the volume of the infusion to be as small as possible to avoid the risk of water intoxication