[Rapid microanalysis of lactate in cord blood and at fetal scalp blood sampling]

Rapid microanalysis of lactate on fetal blood sampling is a new and useful method for fetal monitoring during labor, mainly because of the short lecture delay (1 min) and of the minimal necessary blood volume (5 microl). The lactatometer has the same size as a capillar glucometer and is not expensive. In comparison with pH, it has the advantage of determining metabolic acidosis. According to its excellent specificity in the diagnosis of fetal asphyxia, the lactate microanalysis is a useful complementary method for the fetal heart rate monitoring, the sensibility of which is well-known. A systematic measure of lactate in umbilical artery is an excellent means for self-education in the interpretation of fetal heart rate anomalies, and objective measure for evaluating the quality of intrapartum care and a well-suited defense against litigation, in combination with the 5 min Apgar score.