FETAL BIOPHYSICAL PROFILE SCORE .6. CORRELATION WITH ANTEPARTUM UMBILICAL VENOUS FETAL PH

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the relationship, if any, between the fetal biophysical profile score and antepartum umbilical venous pH. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective observational study conducted concurrently in two centers and involving two discrete high-risk groups of fetuses. Fetal biophysical profile scores were compared with umbilical venous pH values measured in blood obtained by immediate cordocentesis. A total of 493 paired observations of biophysical profile score and pH were made; 104 observations were of fetuses with intrauterine growth retardation and 389 observations were of fetuses with alloimmune anemia. RESULTS: In both data sets there was a highly significant linear correlation between biophysical profile score and umbilical venous pH. Poor biophysical profile score performance (a score of 0 of 10) was always associated with a pH < 7.20, whereas the pH was always > 7.20 when the biophysical profile score was 10 of 10. Sequenced sensitivity of short-term biophysical variables in the detection of acidemia was observed. CONCLUSION: The fetal biophysical profile score accurately predicts antepartum umbilical venous pH.