Does giving juice or glucose to a patient increase the likelihood of a reactive nonstress test?
Multiple studies have shown that maternal glucose or juice administration does not significantly increase the likelihood of achieving a reactive nonstress test (NST), nor does it meaningfully shorten the time to reactivity [1–4].
One study noted that fetal breathing movements may temporarily increase after maternal glucose administration [5], but this has not been shown to improve reactivity rates.
Some non-pharmacologic factors do appear to improve the chance of a reactive NST. Evidence suggests that performing the test with the mother in a lateral decubitus or seated position, or after a brief period of walking, may reduce the percentage of falsely nonreactive NSTs [6–7].
References ▼
1. McCarthy KE, Narrigan D. Is there scientific support for the use of juice to facilitate the nonstress test? J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 1995;24:303–6. PMID:7643260
2. Druzin ML, Foodim J. Effect of maternal glucose ingestion compared with maternal water ingestion on the nonstress test. Obstet Gynecol. 1986;67:425–6. PMID:3511421
3. Richardson B, et al. The effect of maternal glucose administration on the specificity of the nonstress test. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1983;145:141–6. PMID:6849350
4. Phelan JP, et al. Nonstress test and maternal serum glucose. Obstet Gynecol. 1982;60:437–9. PMID:7121930
5. Divon MY, et al. Effect of maternal IV glucose on fetal HR and breathing. Am J Perinatol. 1985;2:292–4. PMID:3902040
6. Abitbol MM, et al. Nonstress test and maternal position. Obstet Gynecol. 1986;68:310–6. PMID:3737051
7. Cito G, et al. Maternal position during NST and fetal heart rate patterns. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2005;84:335–8. PMID:15762962
2. Druzin ML, Foodim J. Effect of maternal glucose ingestion compared with maternal water ingestion on the nonstress test. Obstet Gynecol. 1986;67:425–6. PMID:3511421
3. Richardson B, et al. The effect of maternal glucose administration on the specificity of the nonstress test. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1983;145:141–6. PMID:6849350
4. Phelan JP, et al. Nonstress test and maternal serum glucose. Obstet Gynecol. 1982;60:437–9. PMID:7121930
5. Divon MY, et al. Effect of maternal IV glucose on fetal HR and breathing. Am J Perinatol. 1985;2:292–4. PMID:3902040
6. Abitbol MM, et al. Nonstress test and maternal position. Obstet Gynecol. 1986;68:310–6. PMID:3737051
7. Cito G, et al. Maternal position during NST and fetal heart rate patterns. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2005;84:335–8. PMID:15762962