Intrauterine growth retardation: fluctuation of fetal pH measured between beginning and at the completion of labor.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the fluctuation of fetal pH in blood samples taken at the beginning of labor and at the moment of birth as related to intrauterine growth retardation syndrome. This is a prospective follow-up of term gestations, of which 41 were diagnosed as intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and 61 as normal ones. pH was measured in scalp blood sample at the beginning of the labor and in umbilical artery right after birth in both groups respectively. The rate of decrease of pH value in relation to duration of labor was determined for each case. Our results are: 1) Lower baseline pH were found in the IUGR group (pH 7.32 vs 7.34, p < 0.01), lower arterial blood pH at birth/.23 +/- 0.08 vs 7.27 +/- 0.08, p < 0.05). 2) Faster decrease of the pH during the labor (0.019 unit/hour vs 0.012, p < 0.05) as related to IUGR.


CONCLUSIONS
IUGR fetuses are more acidotic at the beginning of the labor, and the rate of decrease of the fetal pH per unit of time during the labor is faster at least in a theoretical situation nevertheless it will require more studies if any practical applications are thought of.
Nieto
A
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Principe de Asturias, University of Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
Villar
J
J
Matorras
R
R
Serra
M
M
Valenzuela
P
P
Keller
J
J
D000138:Acidosis / Q000097:blood; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000097:blood; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors