[Blood gas determination in the newborn infant (prognostic and therapeutic value)]

A study of 55 blood gas determinations performed on the umbilical vein blood in the new-born (determinations of pH, SAO2, PaCO2, O2 vol% of total blood, CO2 vol% of total plasma, hemoglobin, hematocrit and, in some cases, PaO2). The cases include: 26 girls, 23 boys, issued from 9 primiparas (mean age: 25 years) and 40 multiparas (mean age: 28 years). In 18 of these cases, the parturient woman was administered oxygen. In 6 cases the delivery was complicated. The comparison of the data obtained by means of blood gas determination with the Apgar test evidences the value of the determination of these biological parameters. Authors insist on the necessity to make a functional respiratory study in the pregnany woman exhibiting a chronic respiratory deficiency, and to perform a blood gas determination and an oxygen-therapy (with an hyperoxygenated gas mixture -- O2 60% -- N2 40%) during the labour in order to avoid a fetal anoxia and its consequences, always redoubtable.