Effect of warming different intravenous fluids on maternal and neonatal outcomes during cesarean section - comparison of crystalloids and colloids

Abstract

Background/Aim: Fluid warming is a useful method to prevent maternal and neonatal hypothermia. Because colloids stay in the intravascular space longer than crystalloids, their protective effect against hypothermia may be more emphasized. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of using warmed colloids or crystalloids on maternal and neonatal core temperatures, neonatal blood gas values, and maternal thermal comfort scores. Methods: After ethical approval, 220 ASA I or II pregnant women, scheduled for cesarean section with spinal anesthesia were enrolled in the study. Patients were assigned to receive hydroxyethyl starch (group HES) or Ringer's lactate solution (group RL) throughout the intraoperative study period. Once the patient entered the room, fluids were actively warmed with fluid warmer to 41 °C in both groups. Measurement of maternal core temperature (MT) and thermal comfort score (TCS) were performed before starting intravenous fluid administration (control), at the time of delivery of the neonate (delivery), 15th, 30th minutes, and at the end of the surgery. Tympanic temperature of the neonates was measured 1 minute after delivery. Blood gas samples from the umbilical artery of the neonates at the 1st minute and Apgar scores at 1st and 5th minutes after delivery were evaluated. Results: Maternal tympanic temperatures, maternal thermal comfort scores were higher at all measurement values other than control measurement in group HES. Neonatal tympanic temperatures (P = 0.051), neonatal umbilical artery cord pH (P < 0.001) and pO2 (P = 0.001) values were higher and pCO2 (P < 0.001) and HCO3 (P < 0.001) values were lower in group HES. Conclusion:Colloids are more effective than crystalloids in terms of maternal and neonatal temperatures and thermal comfort scores. Even if there was no difference between Apgar scores in our study, for neonates with potential vulnerabilities, better umbilical artery cord values may provide clinical advantages.