Pediatrics Virtual Tour

Cord blood - Overview

Definition of Cord blood:

Cord blood is a sample of blood collected from the umbilical cord at the time of birth.

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 special preparation is necessary for this test.

How the test will feel:

You will not feel anything beyond the normal birthing process.

Why the test is performed:

Cord blood testing is done to determine the following:

Bilirubin levels
Blood culture (if an infection is suspected)
Blood gases, to evaluate the oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels
Blood sugar level
Blood type and Rh
Complete blood count (CBC)
Platelet count

Reviewed last on: 5/2/2008
Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Maternal & Child Health, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine; Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Hematology/Oncology, American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Allergy/Immunology, Lubin BH, Shearer WT. Cord blood banking for potential future transplantation. Pediatrics 2007 Jan;119(1):165-70.

Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.

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