Lipid peroxidation in cord blood: the effects of umbilical nuchal cord.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the relation between cord entanglement around the fetal neck and umbilical arterial measures of free oxygen radical activity at birth.

DESIGN:

Prospective observational study of the lipid peroxide levels in umbilical cord arterial blood.

SETTING:

Delivery suite of Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong.

POPULATION:

Women with a singleton pregnancy, at term (37 to 42 weeks of gestation), cephalic presentation, spontaneous or induced labour and an initially normal fetal heart rate tracing.

METHODS:

A series of 230 singleton deliveries had determination of two lipoperoxides in umbilical arterial cord blood: malondialdehyde and organic hydroperoxide. Umbilical pH, PO2, PCO2 and base excess were also measured in both umbilical cord arterial and venous blood.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Umbilical cord blood gases and arterial malondialdehyde and organic hydroperoxide levels.

RESULTS:

Forty-nine cases of nuchal cord were observed: 14 tight and 35 loose. Tight nuchal cord was associated with a low 1-min Apgar score and increased lipid peroxide levels. Loose nuchal cord was associated with larger amniotic fluid volume and significantly decreased lipid peroxide levels.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study suggests that tight nuchal cord is associated with increased free oxygen radical activity in the fetus, but that loose nuchal cord carries no adverse effects.

• Authors: C C Wang, M S Rogers
• Journal: British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology (Br J Obstet Gynaecol) Vol. 104 Issue 2 Pg. 251-5 (Feb 1997) ISSN: 0306-5456 [Print] England
• PMID: 9070149 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Free Radicals
• Malondialdehyde
• Hydrogen Peroxide

Topics

• Female
• Fetal Blood (metabolism)
• Free Radicals
• Humans
• Hydrogen Peroxide (metabolism)
• Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
• Labor Presentation
• Lipid Peroxidation
• Malondialdehyde (metabolism)
• Obstetric Labor Complications
• Pregnancy
• Prospective Studies
• Umbilical Cord