[Early and late ligature of the umbilical cord and the acid-base equilibrium of the newborn infant].

A comparative study was made between two groups of healthy newborns. In the first group (A), partial placental transfusion was propitiated and in the second group (B), the umbilical cord was ligated previous to the first inspiration. The behavior of the internal means was investigated carrying out a study of its acid-base equilibrium in umbilical vessels and in arterial blood of the newborn at 30 minutes of independent life. The analysis of the results confirmed significant statistical differences between both groups under study and the usefulness of one minute partial placental transfusion was substantiated. It verified besides that, although both groups showed similar behavior, the group where placental transfusion was propitiated showed a greater metabolic resource which was statistically confirmed. This circumstance propitiated a better accomplishment of homeostasis.