Significance of umbilical artery blood gas on diagnosis of neonatal asphyxia

Objective: To study the significance of umbilical artery blood gas on the diagnosis of neonatal asphyxia.Methods: 18 429 newborns were recorded using forward-looking statistics during January 1,2008 to July 31,2009 at the Beijing Haidian Maternity and Children's Hospital.103 low Apgar scores were consecutively enrolled.The reference range of umbilical artery blood gas,organ damage and umbilical artery blood pH,the correlations between the umbilical artery blood pH and the other items were statistically analyzed.Results: Asphyxia can result in multiple organ damages simultaneously,in which respiratory damages are most common.For those whose pH 7.00,the percentage of organ damage is 100%.Conclusion: Neonatal asphyxia diagnosis based on Apgar score alone may result in misdiagnosis.Umbilicalartery blood pH can be a useful complement and should be considered as one of the regular criteria for neonatal asphyxia dianosis.