Correlation between umbilical cord blood pH with perinatal asphyxia and early neonatal outcome

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Abstract
Perinatal asphyxia is a common cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality especially in low resource developing countries like Nepal. Early intervention and appropriate management is very crucial for preventing mortality and long-term sequalae. This study aims to understand the severity of perinatal asphyxia and its correlation with umbilical cord blood pH. This hospital-based prospective study aimed to assess the correlation between cord blood pH and the severity of perinatal asphyxia, specifically its association with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and early neonatal outcomes. A total of 56 neonates out of which 40 were term and 16 were preterm were enrolled, and the data were analyzed using SPSS. Results showed that lower cord blood pH was significantly associated with the severity of HIE (P < .01). Neonates without HIE had a mean pH of 7.24, while those with severe HIE had a mean pH of 6.8. The analysis reveals a statistically significant negative correlation between Cord blood PH and HIE with a Pearson correlation coefficient of −0.634. A significant relationship was found between birth asphyxia, low birth weight, preterm gestation, severe HIE. Mortality occurred in 7% of the neonates, all within the severe HIE group. This study highlights the critical role of cord blood pH in predicting neonatal outcomes, emphasizing its potential as an early indicator for intervention in perinatal asphyxia.

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