Open AccessLack of Correlation Between Umbilical Artery pH, Retinal Hemorrhages and Apgar Score in the Newborn
Author(s) -
Svenningsen Leif,
Eidal Kristin
Publication year - 1987
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 - 10.3109/00016348709022071
Subject(s) - medicine , umbilical artery , apgar score , obstetrics , correlation , umbilical cord , single umbilical artery , retinal , pregnancy , retinal artery , fetus , ophthalmology , biology , geometry , mathematics , genetics , anatomy
Measurement of pH was carried out in blood from the umbilical artery in 100 uncomplicated deliveries immediately after birth. The data were correlated with the results of fundoscopic examination carried out on the same infants within the subsequent 24 h. No relationship could be demonstrated between the grade of retinal hemorrhages and the cord blood pH measurements. Similarly, none of the neonatal birth parameters, including Apgar scores, could be related to individual differences in umbilical blood pH or the incidence or grade of retinal bleedings. The duration of bearing down was significantly and positively correlated (p<0.001) to the degree of acidosis in the umbilical blood. It is concluded that the presence of retinal hemorrhages provides little or no information about neonatal wellbeing or the impact of spontaneous birth on the fetus.