Fetal scalp blood testing

Fetal scalp blood testing is a technique used in obstetrics during labor to confirm whether fetal oxygenation is sufficient.

The procedure can be performed by creating a shallow cut by a inserted blood lancet, followed by applying a thin pipe to the site that samples blood by capillary action.

Two constituents that are commonly tested by this method are pH and lactate, both being indicators of acid base homeostasis. A low pH and high level of lactate indicate that there is acidosis, which in turn is associated with hypoxia.

pH and lactate appear to have the same sensitivity in indicating hypoxia during labour. Analysis of pH requires a relatively large amount of blood (30-50 μl), and sampling failure rates of 11-20% have been reported. Analysis of lactate only requires 5 μl of blood.

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