Objective
To ascertain if there are differences in umbilical
cord blood gas analysis between
immediate and delayed
cord clamping.
Study design
In a prospective observational study on 60 vaginally delivered healthy term newborns, we sampled umbilical cord blood immediately after delivery and at the time umbilical cord pulsation spontaneously ceased.
Results
There were significant decreases in pH, oxygen saturation (sO2), glycemia, oxygen content (ctO2), bicarbonate (HCO3?/sup>) and base excess (BE). Lactate and increased. Delayed cord clamping pH correlated with immediate cord clamping pH, , ctHb, sO2 and time (r2 = 0.77, p < 0.000). Delayed cord clamping lactate was associated with immediate cord clamping lactate and time (r2 = 0.83, p < 0.000). Delayed BE was associated with previous pH, lactate, glycemia, ctHb and time (r2 = 0.83, p < 0.000).Conclusions
Delayed cord clamping alters acid-base parameters and lactate values compared to immediate cord clamping. Those variations depend mainly on time, prior pH and lactate.
