**3.1.6 Ascites (n=4)**

This subgroup is characterized by scattered results.

The gasometric and acid-base balance is normal in 3 cases. However, in the presence of ascites with the complication of fetoplacental anasarca, we found acidosis (pH 7.10), which was essentially metabolic (bicarbonate concentration of 14.9 mmol/l), and severe hypoxemia (pO2 of 1.20 kPa).

The results were analysed by type of pathology and compared with the norms established

In the reference population, the umbilical venous concentrations of the parameters studied were found to be stable during gestation, with the exception of lactate which rises

The limit of normal values was set at one standard deviation more or less on either side of the mean value of the control group, except for free fatty acids and ketone bodies for which

Controls Malformations (entire group) Renal malformations Digestive malformations Cardiac malformations Malformations of the central nervous system

n 73 53 14 8 5 11 3 4

3.57 0.44

1.86\* 0.59

0.124 0.022

0.178\*\* 0.120

> 0.394 0.278

> > 1.69 0.35

3.68 0.44

2.42\*\*\* 0.80

0.188\*\* 0.045

> 0.072 0.037

> 0.173 0.054

> > 1.76 0.29

3.48 0.45

2.44\*\*\* 1.27

0.091\* 0.045

0.139 0.074

0.398 0.272

1.23\*\* 0.38

3.48 0.53

1.87\* 0.64

0.177\*\*\* 0.030

> 0.128 0.093

> 0.350 0.296

1.72 0.40

Table 4. Metabolic parameters in the umbilical venous blood (number of cases 3).

Pulmonary

malformations

2.36 0.70

2.6 2.34

0.130 0.032

0.136 0.073

0.370 0.242

1.27 0.47 Ascites

3.02 0.96

2.42 2.35

0.142 0.044

0.091 0.015

0.350 0.070

> 1.49 0.50

the limits were set at the 10th and 90th percentiles of the values of this group.

**3.2 Metabolic parameters in the umbilical venous blood (tables 4 and 5, figure 1)** 

for the gestational age considered.

physiologically (Bon et al., 2007).

3.48 0.36

1.48 0.45

0.125 0.046

0.111 0.059

0.321 0.149

> 1.67 0.35

3.57 0.90

2.15\*\*\* 1.12

> 0.138 0.049

> 0.126 0.084

> 0.345 0.240

1.59 0.44

The results are expressed as means and standard deviations.

Glucose (mmol/l)

Lactate (mmol/l)

Free fatty acids (mmol/l)

Aceto-acetate (mmol/l)

Cholesterol (mmol/l)

\* p < 0.05 \*\* p < 0.01 \*\*\* p < 0.001

n = number of samples

Betahydroxybutyrate (mmol/l)

#### **3.1.7 Other malformations (isolated cases, n=8)**

The gasometric balance shows acidemia, hypoxemia and hypercapnia, in the presence of a multicystic hepatic tumour.

A decrease in pO2 is observed in the fetus presenting a genital anomaly, whereas the pH, pCO2, and bicarbonate concentration are within the normal range.

One state of probably gaseous alcalosis, in the presence of a polymalformative syndrome, is found.

The case of chylothorax, with pleural effusion, is complicated by gaseous acidosis with moderate hypoxemia.


n = number of samples

\* value outside the normality interval for the gestational age

value increased

value decreased

Table 3. Gasometric and acid-base parameters in the umbilical venous blood (number of cases 2).
