The Significance of Blood “Excess Lactate” in the Newborn Period

Abstract

On the basis of investigation of certain parameters of respiratory metabolism in healthy newborn infants during the first 3 days of life [6], we concluded that blood "excess lactate", calculated by a method modified from Huckabee [l], represents a suitable criterion for the adequacy of postnatal respiratory metabolism. Similar determinations were carried out in newborn infants following complications of pregnancy or delivery and asphyxia, in order to verify the significance of blood "excess lactate". MethodsThe methods used were those previously described 161. Determinations of lactate and pyruvate in capillary blood, oxygen consumption, blood gIucose and respiratory rate, were carried out in several groups, as well as in individual infants from birth t o 3 days of age. Chief attention was directed to blood lactate, calculated excess lactate and oxygen consumption. ResultsIt was confirmed that the level of lactate in cord blood is dependent upon the length of labor, and the further course of blood lactate was followed in three groups of newborn infants, differing in manner of delivery and postnatal clinical condi-20 -642886 Acta Pcediatrica Vol. 53

The Effect of Prenatal Glucose and Insulin Infusion on Carbohydrate Metabolism in the Newborn

“…Metabolism in the Newborn by K. ZNAMENACEK, H. PRIBYLOVA and V. SABATA Previous reports from this laboratory have concerned the development of some parameters of respiratory metabolism of the newborn in the first three days of life [13] and the significance of ballast "lactate excess" in the blood in the newborn period. It was shown that respiratory metabolism in the newborn can be influenced by glucose administration immediately following birth [14]. The present work was undertaken to study the effect upon various metabolic parameters in the newborn baby of glucose and insulin administered to the mother during labour.…”

Oxygen Consumption and Other Regulative Mechanisms of Energy Metabolism in Pathological States of the Newborn

“…Capillary blood samples (heel prick) of arterialized blood were used for ultra-microdetermination of lactate and pyruvate and glucose, excess lactate was calculated. The methods used were those pre viously described [15,16], The samples were collected immediately before exposure to experimental temperature (19°C) at a temperature of 24°C, where the newborns were kept dressed and swaddled.…”