UMBILICAL-CORD BLOOD-GAS ANALYSIS AT THE TIME OF DELIVERY

Aims: it is now recommended that cord blood acid-base measurement is p erformed routinely at time of delivery in the UK as a measure of fetal response to labour, However, there remains some uncertainty about the value of this procedure, In this paper our experience of cord blood a nalysis is described and the literature is reviewed to: (1) provide an overview of the physiological basis of cord blood acid-base assessmen t; (2) describe the appropriate methodology and identify issues which have contributed to confusion and undermined the value of cord blood s ampling; and (3) address the practical issues of cord blood sampling. Conclusions: cord blood acid-base measurement has a sound physiologica l basis, It provides objective information which is a useful adjunct t o subjective methods of newborn assessment, enables babies at risk of neonatal morbidity to be identified, can be helpful in litigation case s and is a prerequisite for clinical audit, However, to be of benefit the information must be correct and correctly interpreted.