A study of fetal base determinations as an indicator of neonatal condition, using the Apgar score as a reference point, was carried out in the fetuses of 194 parturients. Correlation coefficients for fetal base deficit and Apgar score were not good, except for low 5-min Apgar scores. The generally poor reliability of the fetal base deficit values, compared to Apgar scores, may be attributed to the long time between fetal blood sampling and delivery as well as the FHR pattern present when the sample happened to be taken.