Association of Prenatal Maternal Fever and Neonatal Umbilical Artery Blood-Gas Analysis: Evidence from a Tertiary Center at China

Abstract

Background: Neonatal umbilical artery blood-gas analysis is a diagnostic procedure performed shortly after birth to assess the acid-base balance, oxygenation, and metabolic status of a newborn infant. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the association of prenatal maternal fever with neonatal umbilical artery blood-gas analysis. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 333 parturients and their newborns. Demographic characteristics, clinical information, and neonatal umbilical artery blood gas analysis data were analyzed to evaluate the association between prenatal maternal fever and neonatal blood-gas analysis. Pregnant women with fever (≥38.0 °C) during labor were compared with those without fever. Neonatal umbilical artery blood gas parameters were assessed in relation to the degree and duration of maternal fever. Results: The incidence of the adverse delivery outcome of parturients with high prenatal fever and long duration of fever was significantly higher than that of the low fever, short-term fever, and normal parturients (p < 0.05). The pH of neonatal umbilical veins in the high fever groups was reduced compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Lactic acid (Lac) of neonatal umbilical vein in the low fever and high fever groups was enhanced compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The pH of neonatal umbilical veins in the short-term fever and long-term fever groups was elevated compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The umbilical artery pH and base excess (BE) were positively correlated with maternal peak fever temperature (r = 0.20, r = 0.22, p < 0.05). The umbilical Lac was negatively correlated with maternal peak fever temperature (r = –0.22, p < 0.05). Moreover, the umbilical artery pH and BE were positively correlated with maternal duration of fever (r = 0.29, r = 0.21, p < 0.05). The umbilical artery Lac was negatively correlated with maternal duration of fever (r = –0.25, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings suggested that maternal fever during labor was associated with alterations in neonatal umbilical artery blood gas analysis. Understanding the influence of prenatal fever on delivery outcomes is crucial for optimizing maternal and neonatal health.