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Cord blood testing - Overview

Definition of Cord blood testing:

Cord blood refers to a sample of blood collected from the umbilical cord when a baby is born. The umbilical cord is the cord connecting the baby to the mother's womb.

This article focuses on cord blood testing done to evaluate a newborn's health.

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: 6/5/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. 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;119(1):165-170.

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

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