Abstract

A PROSPECTIVE COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SIGNIFICANCE OF NUCHAL CORD AT BIRTH BY UMBILICAL VENOUS AND ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS ANALYSIS & APGAR SCORE

Kaushik Richa*, Kumar Ashwani, Bhaskar Aastha, Nagar Oby, Singh Vineeta

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To study the significance of nuchal cord at birth by umbilical venous and arterial blood gas analysis & Apgar score of new born. Study design: A prospective analytical comparative study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, SMS medical college, Jaipur, from March 2013 to November 2014 to study the effects of nuchal cord on fetal outcome in full term vaginally delivering primigravida women in terms of changes in umbilical venous and arterial blood gas parameters & Apgar scores of newborn infants. Results: Nuchal cord did not affect Apgar score of babies at 1 min and 5 mins of birth and but significantly altered umbilical arterial, venous blood gas parameters and venoarterial differences in primigravida women delivering vaginally. But the overall fetal outcome in terms of NICU admission and morbidity/mortality of baby during hospital stay remained unaffected. Conclusion: A prolonged period of deterioration is required before an acidotic baby needs resuscitation which does not occur in babies delivered vaginally with nuchal cord resulting in overall unaffected neonatal outcome. Hence, vaginal mode of delivery is a safe mode of delivery in patients with nuchal cord.

Keywords: Nuchal Cord, Primigravida, Full term vaginal delivery, Umbilical venous and arterial blood gas analysis, Apgar score.