The relationships among the fetal biophysical profile, umbilical cord pH, and Apgar scores

Objective. To evaluate the clinical applicability of the rapid biophysical profile (rBPP), comparing results of the rBPP to umbilical cord pH values and Apgar scores. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 37 pregnant women from our high-risk service. All of them gave birth at our institution. rBPP was conducted up to 24 h prior to delivery and pH values were obtained from the umbilical vein immediately after birth. The mean and standard deviations for maternal age, gestational age at birth, pH values, and Apgar score in the 1st and 5th minutes after birth were calculated. An unpaired Student’s t-test was applied to evaluate the correlation between these variables and rBPP scores of 2 and 4. Results. rBPP score of 2 was observed in 8 patients (21.6%) and score 4 was observed in 29 cases (78.4%). No patients received score zero. The difference between the Apgar scores of the rBPP score 2 and 4 was statistically significant (P<0.01) while the same was not true with the umbilical cord pH (P=0.08), even though the values tended to be lower in the rBPP 2 group. Conclusion. The rBPP is a fast and practical method of assessment of antepartum fetal well-being. Further studies, with a larger number of patients, are necessary to evaluate the applicability of the method.

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Decision to Incision and Risk for Fetal Acidemia, Low Apgar Scores, and Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

American Journal of Perinatology ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1717068 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sabine Bousleiman ◽

Dwight J. Rouse ◽

Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman ◽

Yongmei Huang ◽

Mary E. D'Alton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Umbilical Cord ◽

Apgar Score ◽

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy ◽

Apgar Scores ◽

Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring ◽

Emergency Cesarean ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Secondary Outcomes ◽

Ischemic Encephalopathy ◽

Umbilical Cord Ph

Objective This study aimed to assess risk for fetal acidemia, low Apgar scores, and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy based on decision-to-incision time interval in the setting of emergency cesarean delivery. Study Design This unplanned secondary analysis of the Maternal–Fetal Medicine Units prospective observational cesarean registry dataset evaluated risk for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, umbilical cord pH ≤7.0, and Apgar score ≤4 at 5 minutes based on decision-to-incision time for emergency cesarean deliveries. Cesarean occurring for nonreassuring fetal heart rate monitoring, bleeding previa, nonreassuring antepartum testing, placental abruption, or cord prolapse was classified as emergent. Decision-to-incision time was categorized as <10 minutes, 10 to <20 minutes, 20 to <30 minutes, 30 to <50 minutes, or ≥50 minutes. As secondary outcomes umbilical cord pH ≤7.1, umbilical artery pH ≤7.0, and Apgar score ≤5 at 5 minutes were analyzed. Results Of 5,784 women included in the primary analysis, 12.4% had a decision-to-incision interval ≤10 minutes, 20.2% 11 to 20 minutes, 14.9% 21 to 30 minutes, 18.2% 31 to 50 minutes, and 16.5% >50 minutes. Risk for umbilical cord pH ≤7.0 was highest at ≤10 and 11 to 20 minutes (10.2 and 7.9%, respectively), and lowest at 21 to 30 minutes (3.9%), 31 to 50 minutes (3.9%), and >50 minutes (3.5%) (p < 0.01). Risk for Apgar scores ≤4 at 5 minutes was also higher with decision-to-incision intervals ≤10 and 11 to 20 minutes (4.3 and 4.4%, respectively) compared with intervals of 21 to 30 minutes (1.7%), 31 to 50 minutes (2.1%), and >50 minutes (2.0%) (p < 0.01). Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy occurred in 1.5 and 1.0% of women with decision-to-incision intervals of ≤10 and 11 to 20 minutes compared with 0.3 and 0.5% for women with decision-to-incision intervals of 21 to 30 minutes and 31 to 50 minutes (p = 0.04). Risk for secondary outcomes was also higher with shorter decision-to-incision intervals. Conclusion Shorter decision-to-incision times were associated with increased risk for adverse outcomes in the setting of emergency cesarean. Key Points

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