Univariate analysis of prenatal risk factors for low umbilical cord artery pH at birth

Abstract

Objective: To identify potential risk factors for low umbilical cord artery pH in term, singleton pregnancies. Methods: Retrospective case-control study. Cases were deliveries characterized by umbilical cord artery pH ≤ 7.05. Controls were with no sign of hypoxia. Results: In the database of 10637 deliveries, collected between 2014 and 2015 at the University Hospital in Brno delivery ward, we identified 99 cases. Univariate analysis of clinical features was performed. The following riskfactors were associated with low pH: the length of the first stage (odds ratio (OR) 1.40 (95% CI 1.04–1.89)) and the length of the second stage of labor (OR 2.86 (95% CI 1.70–4.81)), primipara (OR 2.99 (1.90–4.71)) and meconium stained fluid (OR 1.60 (1.07–2.38)). Conclusion: Among the risk factors that increase the chance of low umbilical cord artery pH at term, we identified: excessive length of the first and second stage of labour, parity, and meconium stained fluid.