A Resident-Based Multi-Center Research Study of Women in Active Labor

A group of investigators at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, including OB/GYN resident physicians as site investigators, have recently completed a multi-center clinical trial and published the results in the Journal of Maternal Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (March 2015). The objective of the study was to determine if the intrapartum use of a 5 percent glucose-containing intravenous solution decreases the chance of a Cesarean delivery for women presenting in active labor, under the theory that the glucose would provide adequate energy for the contracting uterus and prevent Cesarean delivery. Another objective was to bring together other Pennsylvania medical centers with obstetric residency training programs (Lehigh Valley Hospital, Reading Hospital, and St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem) in this prospective and randomized study that analyzed 309 women. There was no significant difference in the Cesarean delivery rate for the glucose group (23/153 or 15 percent) versus the non-glucose group (18/156 or 11.5 percent). The authors concluded that the use of intravenous fluid containing 5 percent glucose does not lower the chance of Cesarean delivery for women admitted in active labor.

Jaimie Maines, M.D., former resident physician and soon-to-be faculty member in Penn State Hershey Women’s Health at the Medical Center, performed a key role in launching the study and co-authored the paper with Mary Anne Carrillo, M.D., a fourth-year resident in the department.

Jaimie Maines, M.D.

Mary Anne Carillo, M.D.