Objective: The Apgar score as a proven useful tool for rapid assessment of the neonate is often poorly correlated with other indicators of intrapartum neonatal well-being. This study was carried out to determine the correlation between umbilical cord pH and Apgar score in high-risk pregnancies.Methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional, analytic study performed on 96 mother-fetal pairs during 2004-2005 at Shahid Yahyanejad Hospital, which is affiliated to Babol University of Medical Sciences. Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes after birth was taken and an umbilical cord blood gas analysis was done immediately after birth in both groups. Mothers came with a labor pain and were divided into high-risk and low risk if they have had any perinatal risk factors. Other data like gestational age, birth weight, need for resuscitation and admission to the newborn ward or neonatal intensive care unit was gathered by a questionnaire for comparison between the two groups. P-value less than 0.05 was considered being significant.Findings: The gestational age and birth weight were the same in high-risk and low risk mothers. Mean umbilical artery blood pH in high-risk mothers was significantly lower than in low risk mothers (P=0.004). Mean Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were significantly lower in high-risk mothers than in low risk mothers (P<0.05). According to the Kendal correlation coefficient there was no significant correlation between Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes and umbilical cord pH in low risk group (r=0.212, P=0.1). But in high-risk group there was significant correlation between Apgar score at 1st and 5th minute and the umbilical cord pH (r=0.01, P=0.036 and r=0.176, P=0.146, respectively).Conclusion: Combination of Apgar score and umbilical cord pH measurement in high-risk pregnant mother could better detect jeopardized baby.

Background: Fetal asphyxia and the consequent neurological damages could be avoided if the risk factors are controlled at earlier stages. Umbilical cord arterial blood gas (UCABG) seems to be related to the Apgar scores, as well as the neonatal morbidity and mortality rates. Therefore, we designed this study to assess the correlation between the Apgar score and UCABG in Northeast of Iran. Methods: This case-control study evaluated 438 term newborns and 62 preterm infants born during 2012-2013. Peripartum asphyxia, admission in the neonatal intensive care unit, and death were recorded as outcome measures. All the data were analyzed using the t-test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Mild to moderate acidemia (pH=7-7. 2) was reported in 9. 6% and severe acidemia (PH<7) was observed in 1% of the participants. Multivariate analysis showed that aspiration of amniotic fluid, umbilical cord pH ≤ 7. 2, umbilical cord base excess, and being preterm could be considered as the predictors of lower first-minute Apgar score. Conclusion: Umbilical cord blood gas measurement is a useful tool to detect the neonates who are at higher risk of low Apgar.

Background: Various studies have come to contradictory results regarding the relationship between maternal hemoglobin (Hb) level and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The present study aimed to investigate the birth outcomes among pregnant women who had normal hemoglobin levels in the first trimester of their pregnancy.Patients and Methods: In this prospective study, 108 healthy pregnant women with gestational age of 10-14 weeks and Hb≥11g/dl were selected through cluster random sampling and were followed up until delivery. Mothers’ Hb concentration was measured at the end of the first, second, and third trimesters. Then, the relationship between maternal Hb concentration and infants’ birth weight and Apgar score was investigated.Results: The incidence rates of anemia in the second and third trimesters were 12.8% and 27.9%, respectively.Moreover, 16.27% of the newborns had low birth weight and 17.4% had Apgar scores of less than 8. The results revealed a significant relationship between birth weight and maternal Hb level in the second (P=0.02), and the third trimester (P=0.03). Also, the rate of birth of infants with Apgar scores<8 significantly increased among women with Hb<10.5g/dl or Hb>13.2g/dl in the second trimester (P<0.001).Conclusion: According to the present study’s findings, maternal Hb level is suggested to be controlled during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy in addition to the first trimester. In this way, necessary care and treatment measures can be taken based on the women’s hemodynamic status which might reduce the low birth weight and low Apgar score among infants.

Background: The Apgar score (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration) of newborn babies immediately after birth is a determining factor involved with mortality of newborns after birth. Regarding the disagreement on advantages and possible disadvantages of propofol rather thiopental in the available references, the study was triggered with the aim of analyzing effects of two mentioned drugs on babies’ apgar score, mothers’ nausea, vomit and time necessary for mothers’ recovery.Materials and Methods: In this double-blind clinical trial, a total of 230 healthy women who were volunteered to undertake cesarean operation were selected and then divided randomly into two equal groups using statistical blocking. One group was treated by propofol while other one was treated by thiopental. The prescribed drugs for both groups were identical except the anesthesia induction drug. Babies’ Apgar score 1 and 5 minutes after birth and recovery period, mothers’ nausea and vomiting after operation were recorded.Results: Apgar score I minute 1 (p=0.041) and apgar score in minute 5 (p=0.034) for propofol group were meaningfully higher than those for thiopental group. Recovery time from anesthesia was not different meaningfully in two groups (p=0.67). Statistical analysis of nausea and vomit in both groups showed that they are lower in propofol group rather thiopental group (p=0.028).Conclusion: It seems that in cesarean operations, after sufficient fluid therapy, propofol can be a proper drug to achieve anesthesia. Moreover it exerts less impact on cesarean babies’ apgar and stimulates lower levels of nausea and vomiting in mothers.

Introduction: The Apgar score, assessing newborns' health at birth, indicates adverse conditions and the need for medical attention. This study investigates its predictive value for neonatal outcomes. Material & Methods: This retrospective cohort study involved 207 neonates in Ilam city hospitals (2015-2016). It compared two groups: 69 neonates with Apgar scores <7 (exposed) and 138 with scores ≥7 (unexposed) at birth. Neonates were followed through the neonatal period, and outcomes were compared. Statistical analysis used SPSS Statistics software. Results: At the fifth minute, the exposed group had higher rates of resuscitation need (51% vs. 26.7%, p=0.01), re-admission (51% vs. 31.1%), and mortality (60% vs. 12.2%, p=0.03) compared to the unexposed group. Relative risks for the exposed group were 3.8 (resuscitation), 6.1 (NICU admission), 2.94 (re-admission), and 2.5 (mortality) at the first minute, and 2.9, 2.7, 2.3, and 19.9, respectively, at the fifth minute. Conclusion:  Apgar scores <7 increase the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes including NICU admission, resuscitation, and higher mortality rates. The Apgar score serves as a valuable predictor of adverse neonatal outcomes.