Umbilical Artery Blood Gas and Lactate in Healthy
Newborns
BOONSRI CHANRACHAKUL,M.D.*,
LENNART NORDSTROM, Ph.D.*,
SELINA CHUA, M.R.C.O.G. *,
JOHN YAM,M.B.B.S.*,
SABARATNAM ARULKUMARAN, F.R.C.O.G., Ph.D.**
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Lower Kent
Ridge Road Singapore 119074.
** Department of Obstetrics, Midwifery & Gynaecology, Derby City General Hospital, Uttoxeter Road, Derby
DE22 3NE, United Kingdom.
AbstractThis study aimed to establish the normal range of umbilical artery pH, pC02, base
deficit and lactate in normal term and preterm newborn. Umbilical artery pH, pC02, base deficit
and lactate was measured in 637 newborn babies. The study included 555 babies at term with Apgar
score equal to or more than 7 at 5 minutes, not requiring assisted ventilation and not admitted to the
neonatal unit (NNU), as well as 47 preterm babies with Apgar score equal to or more than 7 at 5
minutes who were admitted to the NNU for observation only because of prematurity. Data was
presented as mean and SD. Statistical analysis was done by t-test and simple linear regression
analysis. In the newborn at term mean umbilical artery blood gas and lactate were as follows;
pH= 7.25 (±0.08), pC02 = 45.66 (±1.88) mmHg, base deficit= 7.69 (±3.88) mEq/L, lactate= 2.96
(±1.8) mMol/L. In preterm newborn the values were; pH = 7.25 (±0.04 ), pC02 = 51.78 (±13.00)
mmHg, base deficit= 5.29 (±1.87) mEq/L, lactate = 2.55 (±1.87) mMol/L. The range of umbilical
artery blood gas and lactate parameters in term and preterm fetuses with good neonatal outcome
were derived. There was a statistically significant difference in pC02 and base deficit between
term and preterm newborn. There was no linear correlation between lactate, pH, pC02, base deficit
and fetal glucose respectively in term or preterm infants.
Keywords : Umbilical Artery, Blood Gas, Lactate, Newborns
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