ACID-BASE-EQUILIBRIUM IN UMBILICAL-CORD BLOOD AND TIME OF CORD CLAMPING

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 63  (1) , 44-47
Abstract
The influence of the time interval between birth and the clamping of the umbilical cord on the acid-base balance of the newborn was determined. At 30 s after birth, arterial blood from the unclamped cord showed a distinct decrease in pH and an increase in PCO2 [CO2 partial pressure] and base deficit. These changes were not observed in the venous cord blood. The arterial blood changes continue during the 1st min following delivery. When the cord is clamped immediately after birth, acid-base equilibrium in arterial and venous blood at 60 s after birth oscillates around the values obtained at 0 time. When acid-base equilibrium of arterial cord blood is used as a parameter of neonatal well-being, immediate clamping seems mandatory.