Association of Umbilical Cord Blood Gas Values With Mortality and Severe Neurologic Injury in Preterm Neonates <29 Weeks’ Gestation: A National Cohort Study

( Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2022;227:85.e1–10) The acid-base status of a neonate at the time of birth is determined through analysis of umbilical cord blood gas values. Deranged umbilical cord arterial (UA) and umbilical cord venous (UV) blood gas values can be linked to poor neonatal outcomes. Previous studies have found an association between a UA or UV pH value of <7.0 and neonatal mortality. However, the relationship between umbilical cord blood gas values and adverse outcomes, specifically in preterm neonates born before 29 weeks gestation, is not clear. This study aimed to explore the association between umbilical cord blood gas values with neonatal mortality and severe neurological injury (SNI) in infants born before 29 weeks gestation.