Özet:

The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of umbilical artery blood gases and APGAR scores in defining neonatal morbidity in patients with fetal distress. 151 patients diagnosed with fetal distress were enrolled in the study. All neonates were evaluated by APGAR scoring system. The umbilical cords of all patients were clamped by two Kocher clamps at least 10 cm apart from each other before breathing and blood gas values were assessed in the specimen collected from umbilical artery. The results were evaluated by SPSS 18 program and regression analysis was performed. There were 17 (11.2%) newborns with 1st minute APGAR score <7. The rate of newborns with normal umbilical artery pH was 70.5% among patients with low 1st minute APGAR score (12/17). Only 4.6% of all cases had acidotic umbilical artery pH values. The sensitivity and specificity of 1st minute APGAR score <7 for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admittance were 83.3% and 83.3%, respectively. The positive predictive value of umbilical artery pH was markedly higher than 1st minute APGAR score to determine NICU admittance (85.7% vs. 29.5%, respectively). There were no early neonatal mortalities. Grade 1 hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy was determined in 2 babies and both were regressed spontaneously. The umbilical artery pH measurement is more valuable than APGAR scoring in defining neonatal morbidity.

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