| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | A blood sample collected from the umbilical cord at the time of birth. |
| Alternative Names | |
| How the test is performed | Immediately after the birth of your baby, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. If cord blood is to be drawn, another clamp is placed 8 to 10 inches away from the first, then the isolated section is cut and a blood sample is collected into a specimen tube. |
| How to prepare for the test | No preparation for the test is necessary on your part. |
| How the test will feel | Nothing outside the normal birthing process will be felt. |
| Why the test is performed | The test is performed to assess:blood gases blood type and Rh respiratory status CBCHgbHCTbilirubin glucose blood culture (if an infection is suspected) |
| Normal Values | Normal values indicate that all items evaluated are within normal range. |
| What abnormal results mean | Fetal acidemia is defined by a pH less than 7.2, although some investigators feel that 7.10 is a more reasonable definition. Further evaluation of pH and base deficit values will determine whether the acidemia is a result of little blood flow or oxygen exchange between the mother and placenta, or from cord compression. A blood culture that is positive for bacteria indicates septicemia . Elevated levels of glucose indicate maternal diabetes , and your health care provider know that your child should be watched for rebound hypoglycemia . Elevate bilirubin could indicate: maternal jaundice maternal ingestion of sulfa drugs during pregnancyRh incompatibilityDubin-Johnson syndromecongenital toxoplasmosiscongenital rubella congenital hepatitiscongenital CMV |
| What the risks are | There are no risks above and beyond those normally experienced by the mother and child at the time of birth. |
| Special considerations | Most hospitals routinely collect a cord blood, since it is relatively convenient to do so and the only time it is possible, if your child has a normal and uneventful childbirth your health care provider may choose to only run selected tests on the sample. |
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