ASSOCIATION BETWEEN APGAR SCORE, UMBILICAL ARTERY CORD PH AND BASE EXCESS IN THE FIRST HOUR OF BIRTH IN NEONATES

Although, the high efficacy of Apgar score to find the neonates who have
respiratory distress, a low number of Apgar score couldn’t determine asphyxia definitely, and other
factors could reduce it, too. For this reason, we tried to determine the relationship between Apgar
score, PH& Base Excess in the first hour of birth in neonates.
Material &Methods: In a prospective cross-sectional study we completed the questionnaires from 200
newborns regardless of birth method (i.e.; NVD versus Caesarean section); considering mother’s
records and neonate’s conditions. Apgar score at birth carried out and immediately after the delivery
of the fetus, umbilical cord arterial blood sample was aspirated and sent to the hospital laboratory to
determine PH& Base Excesses. Finally we used SPSS20 software for data analysis.
Results: This study showed that between first minute and 5th minute Apgar scores, and Arterial blood
gas there is a significant co-relationship. (p<0.001). The multifactorial analysis showed that, a
meaningful result between weight at birth (p<0.05) meconium excretion (p<0.001), need for
resuscitation (p<0.001), admission to NICU (P<0.001) with Apgar score and also PH and Base Excess
exist. But newborn’s sex, mother’s age, multiple pregnancies and delivery method didn’t had a
significant association to Apgar score, PH and Base Excess (p>0.05).
Conclusion: According to the findings, exist a meaningful association between Apgar score and
umbilical artery’s blood gases which has clinical importance. So in newborns with low Apgar score it
is pertinent to investigate blood gases but not necessary in normal Apgar score