Cord Blood pH in Meconium-Coated Neonates: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between cord blood pH and meconium-stained amniotic fluid.

Study Design: A cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Central Park Teaching Hospital Lahore from January 2022 to June 2022.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from January 2022 to June 2022 in which 100 females at term who had meconium-stained liquor were recruited for the study after signing a prior written informed consent form in Urdu language. Chi-square test and correlation was employed and a p value less than 0.05 was regarded as significant.

Results: A total of 100 women were recruited for the study with the mean age of 29.85+7.37 years and age range of 18 to 40 years. Among 32(32%) neonates cord blood pH was low while the remaining 68(68%) neonates had normal cord blood pH. BMI of patients had no significant association with cord blood pH levels p-value=0.359.

Conclusion: Cord blood pH monitoring can serve as a diagnostic tool for identifying neonates at risk of complications related to meconium exposure.