The association of umbilical cord complications and variable decelerations with acid-base findings.
Variable decelerations during the last 2 hours of labor were associated with an abnormally positioned umbilical cord at delivery in 52% of cases. In cases where an abnormally positioned umbilical cord was seen at delivery, 89% had been preceded by variable decelerations. Cord compression resulted in an A-V difference in pH that was significantly increased when compared to a control group. This was mainly due to a decrease in the pH of the umbilical artery. The pathophysiology of cord compression is discussed.
D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium; D000328:Adult; D001769:Blood; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D011312:Pressure; D014469:Umbilical Arteries; D014470:Umbilical Cord; D014471:Umbilical Veins