Lipid peroxidation in cord blood: the effects of umbilical nuchal cord.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relation between cord entanglement around the fetal neck and umbilical arterial measures of free oxygen radical activity at birth.


METHODS
Prospective observational study of the lipid peroxide levels in umbilical cord arterial blood.


METHODS
Delivery suite of Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong.


METHODS
Women with a singleton pregnancy, at term (37 to 42 weeks of gestation), cephalic presentation, spontaneous or induced labour and an initially normal fetal heart rate tracing.


METHODS
A series of 230 singleton deliveries had determination of two lipoperoxides in umbilical arterial cord blood: malondialdehyde and organic hydroperoxide. Umbilical pH, PO2, PCO2 and base excess were also measured in both umbilical cord arterial and venous blood.


METHODS
Umbilical cord blood gases and arterial malondialdehyde and organic hydroperoxide levels.


RESULTS
Forty-nine cases of nuchal cord were observed: 14 tight and 35 loose. Tight nuchal cord was associated with a low 1-min Apgar score and increased lipid peroxide levels. Loose nuchal cord was associated with larger amniotic fluid volume and significantly decreased lipid peroxide levels.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that tight nuchal cord is associated with increased free oxygen radical activity in the fetus, but that loose nuchal cord carries no adverse effects.
Wang
C C
CC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Rogers
M S
MS
D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005609:Free Radicals; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007746:Labor Presentation; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014470:Umbilical Cord
D005609:Free Radicals; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide