Umbilical cord blood pH and risk factors for acidaemia in neonates in Kerman.

A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the relationship and predictive value of umbilical cord blood pH for adverse neonatal outcomes. A total of 400 singleton term infants delivered by vaginal delivery or caesarean section were studied at a hospital in Kerman, Islamic Republic of Iran, in 2001. Mean (SD) umbilical cord blood pH was 7.25 +/- 0.14 and 81 cases had acidaemia (pH < 7.1). Apgar score at 1 minute and fetal distress were significantly related to acidaemia. There was also a significant relation between meconium-stained amniotic fluid and acidaemia. Logistic regression analysis showed that Apgar score < 7 at 1 minute, meconium-stained amniotic fluid and fetal distress were significant risk factors for acidaemia in newborn infants. Umbilical cord blood acid-base alterations are related to subsequent adverse outcome events for neonates.