Effects of oxytocin infusion on neonatal bilirubin

ABSTRACT

Maternal and neonatal serum bilirubin, sodium and glucose were studied in [60] women during vaginal delivery whom received either oxytocin infusion [dextrose 5% 400 +/- 230 ml with oxytocin 4 +/- 1.5 IU] group C, glucose only [350 +/- 250 ml] group B or nothing as group A [the controls]. No significant [P > 0.5] maternal variations in the studied parameters among the three groups were found. While the neonatal bilirubin [72 hours later] was of a highly significant [P < 0.001] rise [1.74 ---> 5.0 mg%] in cases of oxytocin infusion and a significant [P < 0.01] increase [1.0 ---> 1.7 mg%] in group B and non-significant increase [0.89 --- 1.1 mg%] among the controls. Also in group C the cord bilirubin [1.74 vs 0.89 mg%] and 72 hours later [5.0 vs 1.1 mg%] was of a highly significant value in comparison to that of the controls, but cases of group B lacked this variation. The associated neonatal hyperbilirubinemia with oxytocin infusion might be attributed to the hyponatremia and hypoosmolarity resulted from the antidiuretic effect and hydration of oxytocin