[Biological reference values in the human fetus. 106 cord blood sampling in utero]

The authors give biological reference figures obtained from 106 fetuses that were sampled in utero between the 20th and 34th week of amenorrhoea. These fetuses were considered to be normal because there was no clinical or ultrasound evidence of an abnormality. Furthermore the biological values sought in antenatal testing and the absence of all pathology in the first year of life, confirmed that these were normal fetuses. The result has been expressed as a global figure for all 106 fetuses; then they have been divided up according to the gestational age groups (20-23, 24-27, and 28-34 weeks of amenorrhoea). These biological reference values and their changes as the age of the fetuses advanced are discussed and compared with the figures reported in the literature.