Two-year outcomes for infants with low cord pH at birth

Background: Long-term outcome of neonatal acidosis remains uncertain. Presently, babies who do not appear to have any difficulties immediately after birth, despite a venous cord pH of (7.0, are not followed up clinically. Aim: To determine the long-term outcome of infants born with venous cord pH (7.0. Methods: A prospective case-control was conducted between June 2004 and January 2009. Each case (singleton birth with venous pH,7) was matched for gestation, gender and mode of delivery with a control. Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) TM and Health Screening Questionnaires were sent out at 24 months of age. Two independent assessors who were blinded to the case assignment reviewed intrapartum and neonatal events to look for clinical evidence of birth asphyxia among the cases. Composite score was also given by an independent assessor. Results: 60 infants were recruited (24 cases and 36 controls). 17 matched pairs with no clinical evidence of birth asphyxia were available for analysis. Complete data are available for 17 matched pairs with no evidence of birth asphyxia assessed at median age of 25.4 months (range 24–36 months). One case died after the age of one (severe cerebral palsy). Conclusion: We found no evidence that babies with low cord pH and no evidence of birth asphyxia have an increased risk of abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome.