Neonatal transitional support with intact umbilical cord in assisted vaginal deliveries: a quality-improvement cohort study

Table 1 Background characteristics of mothers and infants

	Period 1 (n = 92)	Period 2 (n = 103)	P-value
Nulliparous	66 (71.7)	74 (71.8)	0.99^a
Gestational age (weeks)	40.1 ± 1.3	39.9 ± 1.3	0.21^b
Birthweight (g)	3676 ± 570	3508 ± 437	< 0.01^c
Delivery mode
Ventouse	85 (92.4)	94 (91.3)	0.77^a
Forceps	2 (2.2)	2 (1.9)	1,00^b
Breech (Lövset’s manoeuvre)	5 (5.4)	7 (6.8)	0.69^a
Indications, assisted delivery
Suspect asphyxia^e	50 (54.3)	61 (59.2)	0.49^a
Maternal^f	37 (40.2)	36 (35.0)	0.45^a
Breech presentation	5 (5.4)	7 (6.8)	0.69^a
Cord blood gases, artery	73 (79.3)	83 (80.6)
Arterial pH	7.20 ± 0.1	7.20 ± 0.1	0.81^c
Arterial PCO₂ (kPa)	7.34 ± 1.4	7.30 ± 1.3	0.86^c
Arterial base deficit (mmol/l)	5.93 ± 2.9	5.84 ± 2.9	0.84^c
Cord blood gases, vein	82 (89.1)	98 (95.1)
Venous pH	7.32 ± 0.1	7.33 ± 0.1	0.64^c
Venous PCO₂ (kPa)	5.08 ± 1.0	5.05 ± 1.0	0.80^c
Venous base deficit (mmol/l)	5.72 ± 2.5	5.47 ± 2.5	0.53^c
Metabolic acidosis^g	0 (0)	1 (0.9)	1.00^d
Apgar scores
1 min	8 (6.25–9)	8 (7–9)	0.89^b
5 min	9 (9–10)	9 (9–10)	1.00^b
10 min	10 (9–10)	10 (9–10)	0.73^b

The results are reported as frequency (percentage), mean ± standard deviation (SD), median (inter-quartile range (IQR))
^aCalculated using Pearson’s Chi-square Test ^bCalculated using Independent-Samples Mann-Whitney U Test
^cCalculated using Independent samples T-test, equal variances assumed. ^dCalculated using Fisher’s Exact Test
^eBased on information from continuous foetal monitoring (CTG alone or CTG with ST-analysis)
^fProlonged 2nd stage, maternal exhaustion, hypertension / pre-eclampsia
^gDefined as arterial pH < 7.00 and arterial base deficit ≥12 mmol/liter

ISSN: 1471-2393