CORD BLOOD-GASES AND ABSENCE OF END-DIASTOLIC BLOOD VELOCITIES IN THE UMBILICAL ARTERY

Umbilical artery and vein blood gases were compared in three groups of pregnant women delivered by elective caesarean section: group 1 (n = 21), normal controls; group 2 (n = 15), complicated pregnancies with normal umbilical artery blood flow velocity waveforms; and group 3 (n = 14), complicated pregnancies with absent end-diastolic blood velocity in the umbilical artery. Newborns in group 3 were found to be small for gestational age and to have significantly lower oxygen pressure and saturation. These fetuses were thus in a state of chronic hypoxia, which may predispose for development of intra-uterine distress. Doppler ultrasound examination can be useful in identifying this high risk group requiring intensified surveillance.