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Anaesthetics
Original article
Intrapartum intravenous fluids for caesarean delivery and newborn weight loss: a retrospective cohort study
  1. Sherif Eltonsy1,2,
  2. Alain Blinn3,4,
  3. Brigitte Sonier5,
  4. Steven DeRoche3,4,
  5. Aubin Mulaja3,4,
  6. William Hynes3,4,
  7. André Barrieau3,4,
  8. Mathieu Belanger1,3,4,5
  1. 1 Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick, Moncton, Canada
  2. 2 The Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit (MSSU), Moncton, Canada
  3. 3 Department of Family Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
  4. 4 Dieppe Family Medicine Unit, Dieppe, Canada
  5. 5 Research Centre, Vitalité Health Network, Moncton, Canada
  1. Correspondence to Dr Mathieu Belanger; mathieu.f.belanger{at}usherbrooke.ca

Abstract

Objective To examine weight loss (WL) and excess weight loss (EWL) among newborns of caesarean delivery, comparing colloids plus crystalloids versus crystalloids only. Also, to examine different doses of intrapartum intravenous fluids on WL and EWL.

Design Comparative safety retrospective cohort study.

Setting University Teaching Hospital, Moncton, Canada.

Patients Mothers exposed to intravenous fluids with caesarean delivery between 2008 and 2016.

Interventions Exposure to colloids plus crystalloids was compared with crystalloids only, and dose-response analyses were performed for colloids, crystalloids and total intravenous fluids doses. Linear and logistic regression models were used, adjusting for potential confounders.

Main outcome measures Infants’ WL was measured at days 1, 2 and 3 post partum, and EWL defined as loss of >7% of birth weight.

Results From 801 mother-infant pairs, 176 were exposed to colloids plus crystalloids and 625 were exposed to crystalloids only (overall mean birth weight=3416 g, EWL=2%, 41.4% and 55.5% on days 1, 2 and 3, respectively). No significant difference in newborns’ WL was observed on any of the days assessed. Adjusted OR (95% CI) of EWL was 1.0 (0.3 to 3.3) at 24 hours, 1.0 (0.7 to 1.5) at 48 hours and 1.4 (0.9 to 2.2) at 72 hours. No dose-response relationship was detected with type-specific and total intravenous fluids exposures.

Conclusions The risk of EWL was similar with colloids plus crystalloids and crystalloids only, suggesting that both therapeutic options can be considered during caesarean delivery. The absence of dose-response relationships adds confirmatory evidence to the intravenous fluids safety profiles.

  • birth weight
  • weight loss
  • colloids
  • crystalloids
  • caesarean section

This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2017-000070

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    What is already known on this topic?

    • Use of intravenous fluids (ie, crystalloids and colloids) prior to and/or during anaesthesia is a common strategy to prevent maternal hypotension during caesarean sections.

    • Published literature provides conflicting evidence of association between intravenous fluids—specifically crystalloids—and excess weight loss.

    What this study adds?

    • Weight loss difference and the risk of excess weight loss were similar to colloids plus crystalloids and crystalloids among women undergoing caesarean delivery.

    • No dose-response relationship observed between colloids, crystalloids or total intravenous fluids and an increased risk of excess weight loss.

    • Primary and sensitivity analyses suggest that both therapeutic options can be considered as safe during caesarean sections.

    Introduction

    Hypotension is the most significant adverse effect in women undergoing spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery, affecting on average 70% of pregnant women.1 2 The administration of intravenous fluids (ie, crystalloids and colloids) prior to and/or during anaesthesia represents one of the most common strategies to prevent maternal hypotension.1 Among the intravenous fluids, crystalloid solutions are the most frequently used, with normal saline (NS) and Ringer's lactate (RL) as the most common choices.3 Colloids are frequently used nowadays for several reasons. Preloading with crystalloids alone have shown poor effectiveness in decreasing hypotension.3 While crystalloids co-loading is considered superior, variable effectiveness were reported.1 3 Systematic reviews and meta-analyses indicate that preloading or co-loading with colloids—specifically hydroxyethyl starches (HES)—is superior to crystalloids alone, with volumes larger than 500 mL offering no significant additional benefits.1–5 Current practice advocate combining colloids and crystalloids solutions rather than colloids alone.2

    While colloids are becoming an increasingly used choice as intravenous fluid in pregnant women undergoing caesarean section, no study has examined the impact of colloids—or colloids plus crystalloids combination—on excess weight loss (EWL) among newborns. Although normal physiological weight loss occurs after delivery,6 7 EWL (ie, loss of more than 7%–10% of birth weight) is considered a complication which increases the risk of hyperbilirubinaemia, hypernatremic dehydration, hospitalisations and long-term morbidities.8–10 Recent literature reports growing evidence of positive association between intravenous fluids—specifically crystalloids—and EWL (between 7% and 10%),11–14 and it remains unclear whether different intravenous fluid combinations present similar safety profiles. The primary objective of the current study was to examine amount of weight loss and EWL among newborns of caesarean delivery, comparing colloids plus crystalloids intrapartum intravenous fluids versus crystalloids only. The secondary objective was to examine the association between different doses of intrapartum intravenous fluids and newborn weight loss, as well as EWL.

    Methods

    Study design

    A population-based retrospective cohort design was used. The cohort was selected from mothers hospitalised at the Dr George L. Dumont University Hospital Centre (New Brunswick, Canada) between April 2008 and June 2016. The average hospital stay for mothers after caesarean deliveries in New Brunswick is 72 hours. Trained medical staff extracted the information from the hospital medical records of mothers undergoing caesarean deliveries and their linked newborns’ files. Data collection was performed on two periods for logistical and sample size reasons: (1) records from all (n=320) caesarean deliveries between April 2008 and January 2010 and (2) a random sample of 500 caesarean deliveries between February 2010 and June 2016 were retained. Performing separate primary analysis for the two periods did not show major differences in results.

    Cohort selection

    The cohort inclusion criteria were: (1) a pregnancy with a recorded caesarean delivery between 1 April 2008 and 31 June 2016; (2) recorded singleton live birth; (3) maternal age at the beginning of pregnancy of 15–45 years; (4) gestational duration of 30–42 weeks and (5) exposure to colloids or crystalloids intravenous fluids before caesarean delivery. The exclusion criteria were: (1) missing data on intravenous fluids administration in addition to several other important variables and (2) infants with feeding difficulties leading to unsuccessful oral feeding (neither breast feeding nor formula) during the hospitalisation period (ie, nil per os).

    Weight loss and EWL

    From the infants’ medical records, we extracted information on birth weight and infants’ weight at 24, 48 and 72 hours. EWL was defined as loss of >7% of birth weight, calculated at 24, 48 and 72 hours post partum.6 7 15

    Intravenous fluids exposure

    Colloids (Voluven, Pentaspan and others/non-specified) plus crystalloids (RL, NS and others/non-specified) use was defined as the maternal intrapartum exposure to both colloids and crystalloids intravenous fluids for caesarean delivery. Crystalloids use (RL, NS and others/non-specified) was defined as the maternal intrapartum exposure to crystalloids only. Being ‘non-specified’ refers to cases where an indicator was present that a colloid or a crystalloid was administered, but no detail on the specific type was recorded. The doses of colloids were categorised as: 0, >0–500, >500 mL and doses of crystalloids were categorised as: 0, >0–1000, >1000–2000, >2000 mL. We calculated the total doses of intravenous fluids categorised into: 0–1000, >1000–2000, >2000–3000, >3000 mL.

    Confounding variables

    Two classes of potential risk factors were included in the analysis. First, gestational and maternal variables, including: maternal age in years at delivery, number of pregnancies, number of viable births, number of lost pregnancies, gestational diabetes (yes/no), hypertension during pregnancy (yes/no), pre-eclampsia (yes/no), cigarette smoking during pregnancy (yes/no), alcohol drinking during pregnancy (yes/no), drug use during pregnancy (yes/no), epidural before caesarean section (yes/no) and elective caesarean section (yes/no). Second, infant-related variables, including gestational age in weeks, Apgar score, fever during hospitalisation (yes/no), exclusive breast feeding during hospitalisation (ie, we excluded only formula and breastfeeding formula combined) (yes/no), phototherapy on days 1 (yes/no), 2 (yes/no) and 3 (yes/no), number of urine on each of day 1, 2 and 3 and number of stools on each of day 1, 2 and 3.

    Statistical analysis

    The descriptive statistics for the characteristics of the mother-infant pairs were calculated and compared between groups. Four regression forms were employed, two for the difference in weight according to types and doses of intravenous fluids, and two for EWL according to types and doses of intravenous fluids. We compared the amount of weight lost by infants in both groups (as absolute measure in grams) at 24, 48 and 72 hours post partum using crude and adjusted linear regressions, with crystalloids only users as reference group. Three regression models were constructed: model 1 (crude, ie, single univariate regression model), model 2 (adjusted for maternal age, gestational diabetes, hypertension during pregnancy, number of pregnancies, viable births, lost pregnancies, gestational age, pre-eclampsia, cigarette smoking, alcohol use, drug use, epidural before caesarean section and elective caesarean section) and model 3 (adjusted for the variables in model 2, in addition to Apgar score, exclusive breast feeding, number of stools, number of urine, presence of fever and phototherapy). The purpose of this methodology is that the additional variables in model 3 were measured during the postpartum period and not at baseline, and through them, the effect of intravenous fluids on weight loss could be mediated.

    Additional regression models for colloids and crystalloids doses were used to examine trends and dose-response relationships with newborn weight loss, similarly with the total intravenous fluid doses. Logistic regression models were used to estimate crude and adjusted ORs and 95% CIs for EWL, with adjustment for potential confounders as listed above. Firth penalised maximum likelihood estimation method was used whenever quasi-complete separation in data was detected in logistic regression models.16

    Sensitivity analysis

    First, the maximum physiological limits of weight loss for newborns are controversial,17 18 thus, we reanalysed our data using EWL defined as (1) loss of >5% and (2) loss of >10% of birth weight. Second, suboptimal breast feeding and delayed onset of lactogenesis can lead to EWL.11 15 Therefore, we tested its potential effect using two different techniques: (1) performed all analyses among the subgroup of breastfed infants only and (2) excluded exclusive breast feeding as potential confounder from model 3. Using a type I error of 0.05% and 80% power, a sample size of 818 mother-infant pairs was estimated to be sufficient to detect a weight loss difference of 10% between the group exposed to colloids plus crystalloids versus the group exposed to crystalloids only. All statistical analyses were conducted using SAS software, V.9.3 (SAS Institute, Cary, North Carolina, USA). This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Vitalité Health Network.

    Results

    A total of 801 mother-infant pairs fulfilled our inclusion and exclusion criteria (see figure 1 for the selection process). From these, 176 mother-infant pairs were exposed to colloids plus crystalloids intrapartum and 625 were exposed to crystalloids only. Among the colloids plus crystalloids group, 103 (58.5%) were exposed to Voluven, 22 (12.5%) to Pentaspan and 51 (29%) to other colloids or non-specified. For crystalloids, 546 (87.3%) were exposed to RL only, 44 (7.1%) to RL and NS and 35 (5.6%) to other crystalloids or non-specified. The most frequently used doses of colloids and crystalloids were >500 mL and >1000–2000 mL, respectively. Overall, the mean birth weight for the newborns was 3416 g. During the hospitalisation period, EWL of >7% was detected in 15 infants (2%) at 24 hours, 318 infants (41.4%) at 48 hours, 351 infants (55.5%) at 72 hours and EWL of >10% was detected in 3 infants (0.4%) at 24 hours, 17 infants (2.2%) at 48 hours and 100 infants (15.8%) at 72 hours.

    Figure 1
    Figure 1

    Cohort selection flow diagram.

    In both groups, most women were aged ≤35 years, with approximately 1–4 gravidity, 0–1 parity and 0–1 abortus (Table 1). However, based on crude observations, women exposed to crystalloids only were more likely to have suffered from gestational diabetes, to have been exposed to epidural before caesarean section, to report cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking. The incidence of preterm deliveries and phototherapy on day 3 were higher among infants in the colloids plus crystalloids group, while exclusive breast feeding during hospitalisation was more successful in the crystalloids only group.

    View this table:
    Table 1

    Characteristics of mother-infant pairs according to intrapartum colloids and crystalloids exposure for caesarean section

    Differences in weight

    We observed no significant difference in newborns’ weight loss between women exposed to colloids plus crystalloids compared with crystalloids only intrapartum on any of the three days assessed (Table 2). Moreover, none of the doses of colloids, crystalloids or total intravenous fluids was found to be associated with a significant difference in weight loss, nor with a trend of increased or decreased risk over time. We obtained similar estimates for models 2 and 3 (only results from model 3 are presented, others are available on request).

    View this table:
    Table 2

    Beta-coefficients and 95% CIs of the linear regression models for difference in weight at 24, 48 and >72 hours post partum according to maternal intrapartum colloids and crystalloids exposure

    Differences in EWL by group

    We observed no significant difference in the risk of EWL (>7%) at 24 hours (adjusted OR: 1.0; 95% CI: 0.3 to 3.3), 48 hours (adjusted OR: 1.0; 95% CI: 0.7 to 1.5) or 72 hours (adjusted OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 0.9 to 2.2) (Table 3). Elective caesarean section was associated with a significant increased risk of EWL at 48 hours (adjusted OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.6) and at 72 hours (adjusted OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.9). Number of stools measured on each day was significantly associated with EWL (adjusted OR, 95% CI: 1.6, 1.1 to 2.3; 0.8, 0.7 to 0.9 and 0.7, 0.6 to 0.8 at 24, 48 and 72 hours, respectively). We obtained similar estimates for models 2 and 3.

    View this table:
    Table 3

    Adjusted ORs and 95% CIs for excess weight loss (>7%) according to type of intrapartum intravenous fluid received by mothers for caesarean section

    Differences in EWL by dose

    At 24 hours post partum, the number of cases of EWL was too small to examine specific crystalloids doses. However, neither colloids doses nor total intravenous fluids doses were associated significantly with EWL (Table 4). At 48 and 72 hours post partum, we observed no significant association between colloids, crystalloids or total intravenous fluids and EWL, with the exception of a marginal protective effect from EWL at 72 hours post partum for crystalloids at doses >1000–2000 (adjusted OR: 0.2; 95% CI: <0.1–0.9). No trend or dose-response relationship was observed with the increase in doses of intrapartum intravenous fluids (Table 4). Results from the three sensitivity analyses supported the primary analyses estimates (available in online supplementary table E1 to E5).

    Supplementary file 1

    View this table:
    Table 4

    Crude and adjusted ORs and 95% CIs for excess weight loss (>7%) according to doses of intrapartum intravenous fluid received by mothers for caesarean section

    Discussion

    This comparative safety study revealed two main findings. First, the newborn weight loss and the risk of EWL did not differ when colloids plus crystalloids or crystalloids only intravenous fluids were administered intrapartum for caesarean delivery. Second, there was no dose-response relationship between colloids, crystalloids or total intravenous fluids and an increased risk of EWL. The results were consistent in different models and sensitivity analyses on exclusively breastfed newborns and EWL of >5% and>10% showed similar results.

    To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to compare the risk of EWL for different types of intrapartum intravenous fluids for caesarean delivery. Previous studies have demonstrated comparable neonatal safety profiles of colloids versus crystalloids, specifically for neonatal acidosis (risk ratio (RR) 0.2; 95% CI: 0.01 to 4.1) and Apgar score (meta-analysis of 3 studies with 209 women: RR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.03 to 2.1).1 Similarly, no significant difference in Apgar score was found among neonates exposed to colloids plus crystalloids versus crystalloids only (meta-analysis of 2 studies with 107 women: RR: 0.1; 95% CI: 0.01 to 1.2).1 Still, it is noteworthy that the number of events in those studies was low and medications used in these older trials (eg, dextrans and gelatins) no longer reflect the current practice of using HES as the preferred choice.2 4 5 Recently, the CAESAR trial compared two treatment regimens similar to the current study and reported no difference in Apgar score or umbilical pH.2

    Of nine published studies, five reported significant positive associations between doses of intrapartum fluids and weight loss,11–14 19 whereas the other four reported no significant relationships.20–23 However, studies with significant findings are different from the current study since they were based on vaginal births and breastfed newborns11 12 19 or very small sample sizes.13 14 Our results corroborate the results of one case-control,23 two prospective cohort studies20 22 as well as the only RCT on intrapartum intravenous fluids and EWL to date.21

    Previous studies hypothesised that since fluids move freely from the mother to her fetus, newborns may become overhydrated and a consequent correction for the newborns’ fluid balance is an increase in diuresis and weight loss.20 24 This hypothesis was partially supported by recent reports,11 12 but caution must be exercised as the observed weight loss could be attributed to insufficient feeding, especially among exclusively breastfed infants. Previous studies had suggested that the intrapartum administration of crystalloids could significantly affect the onset of lactogenesis12 15 25 through the development of breast engorgement, which in turn could negatively affect milk production25 and increase breast oedema.26 However, our results suggest that if this is the case, it will not lead to an increased risk of EWL. Future studies are warranted to fully examine the effect of intravenous fluids—and their specific types—on lactogenesis and EWL. In the current study, the rates of discharges (urine and stool) were comparable to similar studies published in the literature.20 23 27 A noteworthy finding is the significant association between elective caesarean delivery and EWL. It is possible that pregnant women opting for an elective caesarean delivery could have suffered from other obstetric conditions that leave their newborns more prone to EWL.

    The present study has some important strengths. Our objective was to compare newborn weight loss and EWL after two widely used prevention and treatment options for hypotension during caesarean delivery. Through comparing similar intravenous fluid regimens, and accounting for numerous potentially confounding variables, we minimised the potential bias of confounding by indication, in this case hypotension itself. Indeed, maternal hypotension itself—and the associated reduction in uteroplacental blood supply—can lead to fetal acidosis, which cause weak rooting and sucking reflexes. The later factors can severely compromise lactogenesis, leading to significant newborn weight loss that can be erroneously attributed to intravenous fluids exposure.1 28–30 In addition, we used a large set of statistical models and sensitivity analyses to confirm the validity of our observed estimates. However, the results should be interpreted with consideration of the following limitations. The retrospective design has its limitations compared with a prospective study with efficient follow-up. We were unable to distinguish between preloading and co-loading of intravenous fluids administered. We did not have data on intrapartum oral fluids nor the exact onset of successful exclusive breast feeding (days 1, 2 or 3) and other related factors (eg, latching, dysfunctional sucking, etc). We did not have data on the degree of hypertension, the fluid regimens before the caesarean delivery decision nor the specific indications for caesarean delivery. The study was underpowered for some of the secondary analyses and future larger studies are warranted. Moreover, different tests were performed and no correction was applied for multiple testing. The study was conducted in one hospital centre in Canada, and results may not be directly generalisable to other hospital settings. Given that this is a comparative safety study with an active treatment regimen as a reference group, we cannot exclude the possibility that both intravenous fluid regimens have a deleterious effect on newborn weight loss. We used penalised maximum likelihood estimation, which produces the best estimates given the available information.31 However, given the very limited number of cases in some of the full models, effect estimates differed from crude models among some variables, with exceedingly inflated variance. The effect estimates of the primary and secondary exposures on the dependent variable (ie, EWL) are nonetheless valid since the full models were bias adjusted using penalisation.

    In summary, in the current comparative safety study, the difference in weight loss and the risk of EWL were similar with colloids plus crystalloids and crystalloids intrapartum intravenous fluids among women undergoing caesarean delivery. The absence of dose-response relationships between both intravenous fluid types and EWL adds confirmatory evidence to their safety profiles. Future prospective studies are warranted to confirm the current study results. Combined with previous studies, these results suggest that both therapeutic options can be considered as safe during caesarean sections.

    Acknowledgments

    The authors would like to thank Mr Hamza Abdelalim for assistance with the data collection process.

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors SE, ABa, BS, SD, AM, WH, ABl and MB have contributed to the concept and design of the study. SE and MB performed the analysis and drafted the first draft. SE, ABa, BS, SD, AM, WH, ABl and MB participated in the interpretation of the data. SE, ABa, BS, SD, AM, WH, ABl and MB contributed in drafting and revising of the full manuscript, and have approved the manuscript as submitted. SE, ABa, BS, SD, AM, WH, ABl and MB have met the criteria of authorship, and take public responsibility for the study contents.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Ethics approval Research Ethics Committee of the Vitalité Health Network.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

    • Data sharing statement Data are available after discussion with the corresponding author in accordance with our data-sharing policy.