Lack of correlation between umbilical artery pH, retinal hemorrhages and Apgar score in the newborn

Measurement of pH was carried out in blood from the umbilical artery in 100 uncomplicated deliveries immediately after birth. The data were correlated with the results of fundoscopic examination carried out on the same infants within the subsequent 24 h. No relationship could be demonstrated between the grade of retinal hemorrhages and the cord blood pH measurements. Similarly, none of the neonatal birth parameters, including Apgar scores, could be related to individual differences in umbilical blood pH or the incidence or grade of retinal bleedings. The duration of bearing down was significantly and positively correlated (p less than 0.001) to the degree of acidosis in the umbilical blood. It is concluded that the presence of retinal hemorrhages provides little or no information about neonatal wellbeing or the impact of spontaneous birth on the fetus.