Correlation between foetal pH, cord blood glucose level and Apgar score in a foetal intensive care unit--preliminary report.

The foetal pH (the term 'foetal pH' is used for the pH of foetal capillary blood obtained by making a small incision in the foetal scalp or buttocks) and the umbilical cord blood glucose levels in pregnant women with foetal distress were estimated in 19 babies as a prospective study in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The Apgar Scores on delivery were also estimated. There was a significant correlation coefficient between foetal pH and Apgar Score r = 0.38 and the coefficient of correlation between umbilical artery blood glucose and foetal pH was 0.08. Estimation of the pH of blood taken from the foetal scalp is now well established as a diagnostic measure in the early diagnosis of foetal distress due to hypoxia. The results obtained from this small series of nineteen patients highlights the importance of the estimation of foetal pH, blood glucose and the Apgar Score. This is the first account in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.