Open AccessThe effects of time on pH and gas values in the blood contained in the umbilical cord
Author(s) -
VALENZUELA P.,
GUIJARRO R.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1080/00016340600697488
Subject(s) - arterial ph , medicine , pco2 , arterial blood , venous blood , umbilical cord , anesthesia , umbilical artery , cord blood , artery , vein , fetus , cardiology , pregnancy , surgery , anatomy , genetics , biology
Background. The pH and gas analysis of umbilical cord blood is an accepted practice in most maternity hospitals. The data that is obtained after a latency period in processing the cord blood samples is evaluated to determine whether it is useful for the clinic. Methods. The umbilical cords from 50 term infants were clamped immediately after delivery. Samples of artery and vein blood were drawn 5, 60, and 120 min postpartum and pH, pO 2 , and pCO 2 levels were measured. Results. No significant differences were found after 60 min in the average values for pH in the arterial and venous paired samples, though the arterial and venous pCO 2 values declined significantly. The arterial pO 2 values increased significantly. After 120 min, no significant differences in the average values for the venous pH and pO 2 paired samples were found. The arterial pH values increased significantly, however, and the arterial and venous pCO 2 values declined significantly. The arterial pO 2 values increased significantly. Conclusions. Though statistically significant differences occurred over time, these changes were so modest clinically that the data could still be used even when an immediate analysis of the umbilical cord was not possible.