Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study of 150 deliveries (101 vaginal and 49 caesarean sections), singleton live-born infants between 34 and 42 weeks of gestation with no major anomalies. They were enrolled from November 2015 to March 2016, in delivery unit of obstetrics and gynecology ward, Imam Hossein Medical Center, Tehran, Iran. Blood samples were taken from umbilical vessels (arterial and venous) following delivery. All infants were monitored for Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes.

Results: There were significant differences regarding venous blood lactate (P < 0.000) and pH (P < 0.000), venous (P = 0.002) and arterial (P = 0.038) blood base excess and venous (P < 0.000) and arterial (P = 0.002) blood PCO2 in samples from fetus with intrapartum distress compared to normal fetus. The mean Apgar score at 1 minute (P < 0.000) and 5 (P < 0.000) minutes were also significantly lower in the case group compared to the control group.

Conclusions: The results of the present study indicate that lactate analysis, as well as umbilical cord blood analysis, might be useful predictors of fetal asphyxia at delivery. Their potential role as a predictor of prenatal outcome should be evaluated further in future studies.