Abstract
Prolonged fetal narcotic exposure has been demonstrated to result in intrauterine growth retardation in both humans and in animal models. The mechanism of this growth impairment is unclear. For this reason the effects of maternally administered morphine on fetal nutrition have been examined in the chronically catheterized fetal lamb. The ewes exhibited a transient increase in blood glucose levels 15 to 30 minutes following a single intramuscular injection of morphine. No significant changes in umbilical blood flow or fetal oxygen consumption were noted during the 120 minute observation period. Fetal glucose uptake fell in spite of the rise in maternal glucose levels. In most cases this fall resulted in a net fetal glucose excretion. Fetal glucose excretion appeared to be the result of elevations in umbilical arterial glucose concentration. Umbilical vein glucose concentrations tended to fall slightly. Consistent changes in fetal lactate and pyruvate uptakes were not seen.
These data suggest that morphine induced hyperglycemia occurs in both mother and fetus. This response resulted in fetal glucose excretion and may be important in altering the intrauterine environment in a manner which results in intrauterine growth retardation during chronic narcotic administration (supported by funds from SOADAP, NIMH-DA00633-01).
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Raye, J., Dubin, J., Blechner, J. et al. ALTERATIONS IN FETAL GLUCOSE HOMEOSTASIS FOLLOWING MATERNAL MORPHINE ADMINISTRATION. Pediatr Res 11, 420 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00304
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00304
