COMPARISON OF UMBILICAL ARTERIAL VERSUS UMBILICAL VENOUS-BLOOD PH CORRELATED WITH ARTERIOVENOUS GLUCOSE DIFFERENCE AND CARDIOTOCOGRAPHIC SCORE

The value of clinical parameters and umbilical arterial blood pH as in dicator of prenatal hypoxia is disputed. In a prospective study of 86 vaginally delivered full-term infants, cardiotocographic (CTG) finding s obtained 0-30 min and 30-60 min before birth were compared to pH val ues, O2 and CO2 partial pressures and glucose difference in umbilical arterial and venous blood. CTG findings were expressed as a score, hig her values indicating fetal hypoxia. The venous but not the arterial b lood pH was significantly related to the later (0-30 min) CTG score. T he arterio-venous glucose difference was significantly related to both CTG scores. There was a significant statistical relationship between glucose difference and venous but not arterial blood pH. The later CTG score (0-30 min) also correlated significantly with O2 and CO2 partia l pressures and base excess in the umbilical vein of all vaginally bor n infants. If CTG is accepted as an objective indicator of fetal hypox ia before birth, the arterio-venous glucose difference, and in the inv estigated range of pH-values, umbilical venous blood pH are more suita ble than the arterial blood pH to ascertain the peripartal situation o f the newborn.