Correlation between fetal blood oxygen saturation and umbilical blood pH values

The aim of the study was to find out whether there is correlation between the fetal blood oxygen saturation values detected by intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry and the umbilical blood pH values taken postpartum, and what is the effect of intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry on the mode of delivery. Seventy six women were examined in the study. Intrauterine fetal well-being was monitored with cardiotocography equipment (FC 700), intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry (Nellcor OxiFirst, TYCO Inc, Pleasanton, CA), and the neonatal umbilical blood pH values were taken postpartum using an acid-base analyzer (AVL Compact 3). Descriptive statistics, Shapiro-Wilk normality test, Spearman rank correlation test and Mann-Whitney test were used for statistical data processing. The study results showed a highly significant correlation between the fetal blood oxygen saturation values and the neonatal umbilical blood pH values (rS = 0.54; p < 0.0001), and between the fetal blood oxygen saturation values and Caesarean section rate (rS = -0.68; p < 0.0001). In the light of the results of the study the authors recommend monitoring the fetal status using intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry in cases of non-reassuring or pathological cardiotocography, which allows a significant reduction in the Caesarean section rate for an imminent fetal hypoxia (Tab. 5, Fig. 1, Ref. 17). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.