P84Early neonatal death according to metabolic acidosis at birth in pregnancies with absent or reversed end‐diastolic velocity flow in the umbilical artery

Background An analysis, in pregnancies with absent or reversed end-diastolic velocity (AREDV) flow in the umbilical artery, of the relation between blood gas values at birth and the occurrence of early neonatal death (until 7 days after delivery). Method Between 1992 and 2000, 146 high risk pregnancies with AREDV where it was possible to obtain blood gas analysis results at birth were studied. The criteria used for delivery included: fetal distress, fetal maturity, worsening of maternal condition and severe oligohydramnios. The umbilical arterial blood gas values at birth were compared to early neonatal death. Results The results are shown in the table (*P < 0.05):1 Table 1.    pH < 7.15 pH < 7.20 BE < −10 pH < 7.15 and BE < −10 ND (≤ 7d) 10/43 (23%) 11/75 (15%) 13/56 (23%)* 9/30 (30%)* n = 21 ND (total) n = 36 14/43 (32%) 19/75 (25%) 31/56 (55%) 20/30 (67%) Conclusion Buffer base depletion (negative base excess-BE), and when this variable is associated with low pH values (pH < 7.15 and BE < −10) showed a significant statistical correlation with early neonatal death.