Abstract
Background and Objectives: Despite an improvement in fetal assessment, stationary umbilical cord acid-base reference values are used as measures of obstetric care quality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the significance of umbilical artery blood gas analysis in relation to neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study 268 neonates with no major congenital anomaly but needed resuscitation at least with bag and mask had amniotic fluid mecuniome staining, non physiologic route of delivery or 5 minute Apgar score less than 7 were enrolled in this study. Umbilical artery blood sample obtained and analyzed for blood gas immediately after delivery in the tertiary obstetric hospital of Tabriz.
Results: There was a significant correlation between gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score (min 1 and 5), need for advanced stage of resuscitation, asphyxia and neurological complications with umbilical artery PH (P<0.05). There was significant correlation between umbilical artery PaCO2 and gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score (min 1), need for progressive resuscitation, asphyxia and neonatal mortality (P<0.05). There was a significant correlation between umbilical artery HCO3 and birth weight, Apgar score (min 1) and asphyxia (P<0.05).There was a significant correlation between gestational age, Apgar score (min 1 and5) and asphyxia and range of umbilical artery BE (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Umbilical artery blood sample analysis gives an objective value for acid-base status, fetal oxygenation and diagnosis of asphyxia but can not predict duration of hospitalization of neonates.