ACID-BASE AND ELECTROLYTE BALANCE IN NEWBORN INFANTS OF DIABETIC MOTHERS

The acid-base and electrolyte balance was studied in 8 diabetic and 8 healthy mothers and their infants at caesarean section near term. Microliter methods were used for determination of pH, total CO₂, potassium, sodium, chloride, calcium, total protein, inorganic phosphorus, glucose and lactate. The acid-base and electrolyte balance of the newborn infant of a well-controlled diabetic mother did not differ significantly from that of a newborn infant of a healthy mother. The infant of a diabetic mother seemed to be able to correct for an excess load of glucose and to maintain a “normal” level in the blood in the umbilical artery. Earlier observations that intense maternal hyperventilation is associated with a changed uterine and placental circulation and results in fetal acidosis were not confirmed in the present study.