BETAMIMETICS IN FETAL DISTRESS - A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

The objective of the study was to investigate if a single dose of Hexo prenaline administered to patients diagnosed as having fetal distress improves neonatal outcome and whether there are any side effects and c omplications related to hexoprenaline injection. Patients with fetal d istress diagnosed by electronic fetal heart rate monitoring with a ges tational age of 35 weeks or more in active labor were eligible. Once t he decision to deliver the patient by Cesarean section was made, patie nts were approached and randomised by sealed opaque envelopes to hexop renaline or control groups. Ten micrograms of hexoprenaline were admin istered intravenously to study patients. Main outcomes were cord blood gas values, Apgar scores, the need for resuscitation and admission to intensive care. There were no statistically significant differences i n the main outcome measures between the two groups. Fewer babies in th e hexoprenaline group had a pH of < 7.2 and a base excess of < -10, bu t this was not statistically significant. The fetal heart rate pattern was improved in significantly more patients after hexoprenaline admin istration than controls. in conclusion, despite the statistically sign ificant improvement in fetal heart rate tracings, Apgar scores and bro od gas values showed only a trend towards improvement in the hexoprena line group.