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The effect of intra-partum and intra-uterine asphyxia on placental transfusion in premature and full-term infants

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Abstract

Blood volume and its components were estimated using 125iodinated human serum albumin in 194 newborn infants with 26 to 41 week gestations. Umbilical cords were ligated 15 seconds after vaginal delivery (n=141) and within 5 seconds after delivery by Caesarean section (n=53). The infants were divided into four groups according to the mode of delivery and presence of prenatal complications: group I: vaginal deliveries (n=96) and group II: Caesarean section (n=25) without preceding complications; group III: infants with intra-uterine asphyxia (n=56); group IV: infants with tight umbilical cord loops around neck (n=17). Subgroups were established with respect to gestational age and to one-minute Apgar scores. Significantly different blood volume (BV) and red cell mass (RCM) values between the subgroups were only found in group I with respect to different Apgar scores: Ia Apgar>5: BV 77.9±6.2; RCM 37.5±5.1 ml/kg; Ib Apgar<6: BV 70.0±4.4; RCM 29.6±2.9 ml/kg (P<0.005). Intra-partum asphyxia did not affect BV (71.3±4.8 ml/kg) and RCM (31.2±3.6 ml/kg) in group II. BV and RCM were significantly (P<0.005) lower than in group Ia. In group III, BV (90.4±7.0 ml/kg) and RCM (46.9±6.3 ml/kg) were significantly (P<0.005) higher than in group I, irrespective of the mode of delivery and Apgar scores. The infants of group IV had the lowest volumes (BV 67.5±5.7; RCM 27.4±2.7 ml/kg). Values obtained in premature and full-term infants were similar in the respective groups. These results indicate that infants with intra-partum asphyxia and with tight nuchal cords do not participate in placental transfusion or even lose some blood into the placenta. However, infants with intrauterine asphyxia (excepting those with tight nuchal cords) receive marked placental transfusion in utero.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Munich, Lindwurmstraße 4, D-8000, München 2, Federal Republic of Germany

    O. Linderkamp, H. T. Versmold, K. Messow-Zahn, K. P. Riegel & K. Betke

  2. II. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Munich, Lindwurmstraße 4, D-8000, München 2, Federal Republic of Germany

    W. Müller-Holve

Authors
  1. O. Linderkamp
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  2. H. T. Versmold
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  3. K. Messow-Zahn
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  4. W. Müller-Holve
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  5. K. P. Riegel
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  6. K. Betke
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Supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, SFB 147

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Linderkamp, O., Versmold, H.T., Messow-Zahn, K. et al. The effect of intra-partum and intra-uterine asphyxia on placental transfusion in premature and full-term infants. Eur J Pediatr 127, 91–99 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00445764

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00445764

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