High-dose oxytocin is not associated with maternal temperature elevation: a retrospective cohort study of mid-trimester pregnancy with intrauterine fetal demise

BackgroundMaternal intrapartum fever has been associated with an increased incidence of neonatal morbidity. In this retrospective cohort study, we evaluated whether intravenous oxytocin has a fever-inducing effect. Oxytocin augments secretion of prostaglandins E2 and F2α which are inflammatory mediators known to elevate body temperature.MethodsBetween January 2005 and June 2008, 279 patients were admitted with mid-trimester fetal demise. Patients meeting inclusion criteria included 34 women who received a high-dose intravenous oxytocin regimen and 29 patients who delivered after spontaneous labor without the need for augmentation. Oral temperatures were measured on admission and at delivery.ResultsThe median length of oxytocin infusion was 5.3 h. The calculated temperature change was −0.14°C in the oxytocin group and +0.12°C in the control group. These findings were confirmed in a model adjusted for patients’ white blood cell count and duration of labor. We did not observe an effect of analgesia type, epidural versus intravenous analgesia, on duration of labor.ConclusionBased on this comparative analysis of pregnant women who received high-doses of oxytocin, we found insufficient evidence to support that high-dose intravenous oxytocin elevates intrapartum maternal temperature.