The strength of correlation between umbilical cord pH and early neonatal outcome

Abstract

Background:  Umbilical artery gas parameters have been used reliably to detect intrauterine asphyxia. Methods: We analyzed umbilical arterial gas parameters in depressed children and compared it with normal children. Results:  Nearly one third of depressed babies had low pH. Umbilical cord acidosis correlated with increased incidence in seizures (P=0.000), incidence of HIE (P=0.000), risk of intubation (0.001) and thrombocytopenia (0.008). Overall mortality was one fourth, but a significant association could not be ascertained. Also we can confirm that pH less than 7.00 is significant as per AAP and NNF rather than 7.20, defined by ACOG. Conclusions:  We conclude that a decrease in umbilical arterial pH among cases was significantly associated with increased risk of intubation and need for mechanical ventilation, seizures, Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.