open access

Vol 93, No 1 (2022)
Research paper
Published online: 2021-05-11
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Relationship between Apgar score and umbilical cord blood acid-base balance in full-term and late preterm newborns born in medium and severe conditions

Marta Mlodawska1, Jakub Mlodawski1, Aleksandra Gladys-Jakubczyk2, Grazyna Pazera2
·
Pubmed: 34105745
·
Ginekol Pol 2022;93(1):57-62.
Affiliations
  1. Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, Poland
  2. Clinic of Neonatology, Provincial Combined Hospital, Kielce, Poland

open access

Vol 93, No 1 (2022)
ORIGINAL PAPERS Obstetrics
Published online: 2021-05-11

Abstract

Objectives: Application of Apgar scores (AS) and umbilical cord blood acid-base analysis is a base for the prediction of future neurological development in children. In clinical practice we often observe huge discrepancy between clinical and biochemical status of newborn. Because many obstetricians consider both assessments as substitute and measure of their proceeding’s outcome, we decided to scientifically measure actual correlation between them among newborns born with Apgar less than 8 points.

Material and methods: This was an observational retrospective study. The study included 141 newborns born in general medium and severe condition (Apgar < 8 points in first minute of life). Acid-base analysis of umbilical cord vein blood immediately after birth was performed. We correlated gasometer parameters with Apgar scores of newborns.

Results: The clinical condition of a newborn at 1, 5, and 10 minutes after birth correlates positively and significantly with pH values (0.25; 0.24; and 0.26; respectively) and bicarbonate levels (0.21; 0.27; 0.28; respectively) in the umbilical cord vein, however correlation was low. Subsequently we qualified newborns to four groups depending on the degree of invasiveness of respiratory support after delivery, and the groups were compared in terms of parameters of acid-based balance. No significant differences were observed between groups in terms of acid-base balance parameters.

Conclusions: There is low, but significant correlation between clinical condition of a newborn after birth with most of acid-base parameters from umbilical vein blood. The assessment of the newborn's condition after birth using the Apgar score, (but not acid-base parameters) determines the degree of invasiveness of respiratory support activities for newborns after birth.

Abstract

Objectives: Application of Apgar scores (AS) and umbilical cord blood acid-base analysis is a base for the prediction of future neurological development in children. In clinical practice we often observe huge discrepancy between clinical and biochemical status of newborn. Because many obstetricians consider both assessments as substitute and measure of their proceeding’s outcome, we decided to scientifically measure actual correlation between them among newborns born with Apgar less than 8 points.

Material and methods: This was an observational retrospective study. The study included 141 newborns born in general medium and severe condition (Apgar < 8 points in first minute of life). Acid-base analysis of umbilical cord vein blood immediately after birth was performed. We correlated gasometer parameters with Apgar scores of newborns.

Results: The clinical condition of a newborn at 1, 5, and 10 minutes after birth correlates positively and significantly with pH values (0.25; 0.24; and 0.26; respectively) and bicarbonate levels (0.21; 0.27; 0.28; respectively) in the umbilical cord vein, however correlation was low. Subsequently we qualified newborns to four groups depending on the degree of invasiveness of respiratory support after delivery, and the groups were compared in terms of parameters of acid-based balance. No significant differences were observed between groups in terms of acid-base balance parameters.

Conclusions: There is low, but significant correlation between clinical condition of a newborn after birth with most of acid-base parameters from umbilical vein blood. The assessment of the newborn's condition after birth using the Apgar score, (but not acid-base parameters) determines the degree of invasiveness of respiratory support activities for newborns after birth.

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Keywords

Apgar score; umbilical cord; gasometric parameters; moderate condition newborn; severe condition newborn

About this article
Title

Relationship between Apgar score and umbilical cord blood acid-base balance in full-term and late preterm newborns born in medium and severe conditions

Journal

Ginekologia Polska

Issue

Vol 93, No 1 (2022)

Article type

Research paper

Pages

57-62

Published online

2021-05-11

Page views

6243

Article views/downloads

1567

DOI

10.5603/GP.a2021.0091

Pubmed

34105745

Bibliographic record

Ginekol Pol 2022;93(1):57-62.

Keywords

Apgar score
umbilical cord
gasometric parameters
moderate condition newborn
severe condition newborn

Authors

Marta Mlodawska
Jakub Mlodawski
Aleksandra Gladys-Jakubczyk
Grazyna Pazera

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