Tone of the umbilical cord: a clinical and histopathological study

This study was carried out on 30 women during labor to determine the Possible significance of the tone of the umbilical cord [UC] at birth with regard to the neonatal condition and whether the change of the tone is associated with any change in the UC histology. Immediately after birth, the tone of the UC was determined by gentle digital palpation. The neonatal condition was assessed by Apgar score. A piece of the UC was obtained by cutting after double clamping without miking. Then it was prepared and stained with hematoxyline and eosin; orcien. Masson's trichrome and periodic acid Schiff. This study showed a positive correlation between tone of the UC and neonatal Apgar score. As regards the histopathological changes, it was found that the muscle fibers of the media were widely separated by connective fibers in both umbilical artery and vein; also increased elastic fibers in subendothelial layer of the vein and its decrease in the arteries; and increased collagen fibers as compared to muscle fibers in arteries in cases showing poor UC tone

Correlation between apgar score and acid-basestatus of the newborn

In a trial to determine the correlation between Apgar score and umbilical blood sampling, 30 newborns delivered at Tanta University Hospital were subjected to umbilical arterial pH and blood gases determination as soon as possible after delivery. At the same time, Apgar score was determined for every baby at one and five minutes. This study revealed poor correlation between Apgar state at one minute and the acid-base status of the newborn where only 16.67% of babies with Apgar score 7 had acidemia [pH 7.2], whereas 8.33% of babies with score 7 had acidemia. Therefore, umbilical cord blood sampling seems to be a more promising method for evaluation of the newborn and for its management immediately after birth