Elsevier

Resuscitation

Volume 60, Issue 2, February 2004, Pages 219-223
Resuscitation

A randomized controlled trial of sodium bicarbonate in neonatal resuscitation—effect on immediate outcome

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2003.10.004Get rights and content

Abstract

Very little evidence is available that supports or disproves the use of medications in neonatal resuscitation. In this randomized controlled trial, we evaluated the effect of sodium bicarbonate given during neonatal resuscitation, on survival and neurological outcome at discharge. Subjects and methods: Consecutively born asphyxiated neonates continuing to need positive pressure ventilation at 5 min of life received either sodium bicarbonate or 5% dextrose. The study group was given intravenous sodium bicarbonate solution 4 ml/kg (1.8 meq./kg) over 3–5 min. This solution was prepared by diluting 7.5% sodium bicarbonate (0.9 meq./ml) with distilled water in a 1:1 ratio. The placebo group received 4 ml/kg of undiluted 5% dextrose at a similar rate. The surviving neonates were evaluated for their neurological status at discharge. Primary outcome variable: Death or abnormal neurological examination at discharge. Secondary outcome variables: Encephalopathy, multi-organ dysfunction, intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) and arterial pH at 6 h. Results: Twenty-seven babies were randomized to receive sodium bicarbonate (bicarb group) and 28 to receive 5% dextrose. Eighteen of the 27 (66.7%) babies in the bicarb group and 19 of the 28 babies (68%) in the dextrose group survived to discharge (P=0.84). Twenty-eight percent of the survivors in the bicarb group and 32% of the survivors in the dextrose group were neurologically abnormal at discharge (P=0.10). The composite primary outcome of death or abnormal neurological examination at discharge was similar in both groups (52% versus 54%, P=0.88). The incidence of encephalopathy (74% versus 63%), cerebral oedema (52% versus 30%), need for inotropic support (44% versus 29%), intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) and the mean arterial pH at 6hrs were similar between the two groups. Conclusion: Administration of sodium bicarbonate during neonatal resuscitation did not help to improve survival or immediate neurological outcome.

Sumàrio

Há muito pouca evidência que suporte ou contra-indique o uso de medicamentos em reanimação neonatal. Neste estudo aleatorizado e controlado, avaliamos o efeito do bicarbonato de sódio administrado durante reanimação neonatal na sobrevida e no estado neurológico à data de alta. População e métodos: Administrou-se bicarbonato de sódio ou glicose a 5% a um grupo consecutivo de recém-nascidos em asfixia que mantinham necessidade de ventilação com pressão positiva aos 5 min de vida. Ao grupo de estudo foram administrados 4mL/Kg de uma solução de bicarbonato de sódio intravenoso (1,8 mEq/Kg) durante 3–5 minutos. Esta solução foi preparada diluindo bicarbonato de sódio a 7,5% (0,9 mEq/mL) em água destilada na razão 1:1. O grupo placebo recebeu, da mesma forma, 4mL/Kg de glicose a 5% não diluı́da. Os recém-nascidos sobreviventes foram avaliados neurologicamente à data de alta. Variável de resultado primário: Morte ou exame neurológico anormal à data de alta. Variáveis de resultado secundário: Encefalopatia, disfunção multiorgânica, hemorragia intraventricular (IVH) e pH arterial às 6 horas. Resultados: Vinte e sete bébés foram aleatorizados para receberem bicarbonato de sódio (grupo bicarb) e 28 para receberem glicose a 5%. Dezoito dos 27 (66,7%) bébés do grupo bicarb e 19 dos 28 bébés (68%) do grupo de glicose sobreviveram até à alta (P=0,84). Vinte e oito por cento dos sobreviventes no grupo bicarb e 32% no grupo de glicose tinham alterações neurológicas à data de alta (P=0,10). O resultado primário composto de morte ou exame neurológico anormal à data de alta foi semelhante em ambos os grupos (52% versus 54%, P=0,88). A incidência de encefalopatia (74% versus 63%), edema cerebral (52% versus 30%), necessidade de suporte inotrópico (44% versus 29%), hemorragia intraventricular (IVH) e o pH arterial médio às 6 horas foram semelhantes entre os grupos. Conclusão: A administração de bicarbonato de sódio durante a reanimação neonatal não foi útil na melhoria da sobrevida ou do resultado neurológico imediato.

Resumen

Existe muy escasa evidencia que apoye o desapruebe el uso de medicamentos en reanimación neonatal. En este estudio randomizado y controlado, evaluamos el efecto del bicarbonato de sodio usado durante la reanimación neonatal sobre la sobrevida y el resultado neurológico al momento del alta. Sujetos y método: Neonatos cosecutivos que nacen con asfixia que siguen necesitando ventilación a presión positiva después de 5 minutos de vida recibieron bicarbonato o dextrosa 5%. El grupo de estudio recibió por vı́a venosa solución de bicarbonato de sodio 4 ml/kg (1.8 meg/kg) en 3–5 minutos. Esta solución fue preparada diluyendo bicarbonato al 7.5% (0.9 meq/kg) con agua destilada en relación 1:1. El grupo placebo recibió 4 mg/kg de dextrosa al 5% sin diluir, a velocidad similar. Los neonatos que sobrevivieron fueron evaluados en su condición neurológica al alta. Variable primaria de resultado: Muerte o examen neurológico alterado al alta. Variable secundaria de resultado: Encefalopatı́a; disfunción multiorgánica, hemorragia intra ventricular (IVH) y PH arterial en 6horas. Resultados: Se randomizaron 27 recién nacidos para recibir bicarbonato de sodio (grupo bicarb ) y 28 para recibir dextrosa al 5%.Dieciocho de 27 (66.7%) recién nacidos en el grupo bicarb y 18 de 28 (68%) en el grupo dextrosa sobrevivieron al alta (P = 0.84). 28% de los sobrevivientes en el grupo bicarb y 32% de los sobrevivientes en el grupo dextrosa se encontraban neurológicamente anormales al alta (P = 0.10). El componente primario de resultado de muerte o examen neurológico alterado fue similar en ambos grupos (52% versus 54%, P = 0.88). La incidencia de encefalopatı́a (74% versus 63%), edema cerebral (52% versus 30%), necesidad de apoyo inotrópico (44% versus 29%), hemorragia intraventricular (IVH), presión arterial media y ph a las 6 horas fueron similares en ambos grupos. Conclusión: La administración de bicarbonato de sodio durante la reanimación neonatal no ayudó a mejorar la sobreviva o resultado neurológico inmediato.

Introduction

Perinatal asphyxia is one of the leading causes of perinatal mortality, being responsible for 30–52% of perinatal deaths in developing countries [1]. In addition it can lead to long-term neurological handicap and is an antecedent factor in nearly 50% of neonatal deaths [2].

James et al. found that, in a continuously asphyxiated fetus, there is a progressive fall in pH from 7.32 to 7.00 at 5 min and to 6.8 at 10 min [3]. Severe acidosis impairs myocardial contractility and constricts the pulmonary blood vessels. In this situation, even when the neonate is ventilated adequately, satisfactory oxygenation may not be possible due to reduced pulmonary perfusion [4]. Drugs such as adrenaline (epinephrine) are less effective during acidosis [5]. Correction of acidosis by buffer agents such as sodium bicarbonate given during resuscitation may help by reversing these processes.

Resuscitation guidelines for the newborn state that use of sodium bicarbonate may be beneficial in prolonged arrest and generally should be used in documented metabolic acidosis [6], [7]. However, there are no controlled trials that have specifically examined the role of bicarbonate during neonatal resuscitation.

Section snippets

Material and methods

Consecutively born asphyxiated neonates continuing to need positive pressure ventilation at 5 min of life were randomly assigned by a computer generated sequence to receive either sodium bicarbonate or 5% dextrose. Babies with major congenital malformations were excluded. The study group was given intravenous sodium bicarbonate solution 4 ml/kg (1.8 meq./kg) over 3–5 min. This solution was prepared by diluting 7.5% sodium bicarbonate (0.9 meq./ml) with distilled water in a 1:1 ratio. The placebo

Results

Out of the 60 babies enrolled, 5 babies were excluded because of major congenital malformations. Of the remaining 55, 27 were randomized to receive sodium bicarbonate (bicarb group) and 28 to receive 5% dextrose.

The mean gestation, birth weight, proportion of premature babies, mode of delivery, duration of labour, pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH)/eclampsia, incidences of meconium stained liquor and fetal bradycardia were similar in the two groups (Table 1). Apgar scores at 1min, cord pH,

Discussion

Patients in cardiac arrest have acidosis which compromises myocardial function [10], [11]. Hence, it makes physiologic sense that correction of acidosis should be beneficial during resuscitation. There are no neonatal animal or human trials that have specifically examined the role of bicarbonate in achieving return of spontaneous circulation or survival following cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The results of our study indicate that administration of sodium bicarbonate during resuscitation did

Conclusions

The results of this study support the current thinking that use of sodium bicarbonate during neonatal resuscitation does not help in improving survival and immediate neurological outcomes.

References (22)

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