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. 1997 Dec;177(6):1391-4.
doi: 10.1016/s0002-9378(97)70080-2.

Threshold of metabolic acidosis associated with newborn complications

J A Low  1 , B G Lindsay, E J Derrick
Affiliations

Threshold of metabolic acidosis associated with newborn complications

J A Low et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1997 Dec.

Abstract

Objective: Our purpose was to determine the threshold of metabolic acidosis at delivery associated with newborn complications.

Study design: This study was a matched case-control study of 174 term newborn infants. Three groups defined by umbilical artery base deficit at birth were 4 to 8 mmol/L, 8 to 12 mmol/L, and 12 to 16 mmol/L. Newborn complications during the 5 days after birth were documented. A composite complication score defined the magnitude of all complications in each neonate.

Results: Moderate and severe newborn encephalopathy and respiratory complications and composite complication scores >3 were increased in the group with an umbilical artery base deficit of 12 to 16 mmol/L. Moderate or severe newborn complications occurred in 10% of newborns in the same group, whereas such complications occur in 40% of neonates with an umbilical artery base deficit >16 mmol/L at birth.

Conclusion: The threshold of fetal metabolic acidosis at delivery when moderate or severe newborn complications may occur is in an umbilical artery base deficit of 12 mmol/L. Thereafter, increasing metabolic acidosis is associated with a progression of severity of newborn complications.

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