Correlation between umbilical venous blood gas at birth and comorbidities in preterm babies - A cohort study

Abstract

Background: Umbilical cord blood gas analysis is a useful tool in predicting short-term outcomes in term infants. The value of umbilical venous blood gas analysis in predicting short-term outcomes in preterm infants is less clear. Objectives: The study was carried out to determine the correlation between venous blood gases and various antenatal and natal characteristics as well as short term comorbidities in preterm infants born before 34 weeks of gestation. Methods: In a cohort study, 74 preterm infants born before 34 weeks of gestation were enrolled, and umbilical venous blood gas analysis was performed within 1 h of birth. All preterm infants with pH <7.20, lactate >4 mmol/L and bicarbonate <15 mmol/L were compared with those with pH ?7.20, lactate ?4 mmol/L, and bicarbonate ?15 mmol/L. Antenatal and natal characteristics such as steroid administration, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), birth weight, gestational age, APGAR score, and need for resuscitation were recorded and compared between the two groups. Various neonatal comorbidities were also analyzed in the two groups. Results: Lactate >4 mmol/L and bicarbonate <15 mmol/L showed a significant association (p=0.03 and 0.02, respectively) with PIH. Lactate >4 mmol/L showed a significant association with neonatal death (p=0.01) and thrombocytopenia was significantly associated with bicarbonate <15 mmol/L (p=0.01). All comorbidities were higher in the group with abnormal blood gases although statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Venous blood gas analysis is an important tool in predicting mortality in preterm babies.