Correlation of cord ABG and lactate levels after delivery with NST/CTG in singleton non-high risk pregnant patients

Abstract

Timely management of fetal distress is of utmost importance for an obstetrician. It would be very helpful to study parameters that help predict fetal distress and their efficiency in assessing fetal well-being. In our study, 120 singleton non-high risk pregnancies were included. All patients underwent CTG/NST, measurement of cord ABG and lactate levels after delivery. Out of them, 69% babies had normal ABG & 11%, 7%, 7%, 6% had respiratory, metabolic, mixed, lactic acidosis respectively. 78% babies showed normal & 22% babies showed high levels cord blood lactate. 26% babies required NICU admission.After statistical analysis, correlation between NST/CTG and cord lactate levels was highly significant. So we recommend measurement of cord arterial blood lactic acid after every delivery to be included as a standard protocol of neonatal assessment at birth.