Fetal blood analysis. I. Effect of delayed collection

Umbilical blood was analyzed for pH, pO2, pCO2, HCO3-, base excess, and plasma lactate to evaluate possible errors of fetal scalp blood analysis. Two studies to determine the effect of delayed collection and exposure to air on fetal blood acid-base measurement analyzed anaerobically collected umbilical blood in syringe and capillary samples. In the first study, 37 samples were analyzed and then placed in small droplets on a glass slide and exposed for 30 seconds and 60 seconds respectively. These samples were then collected and reanalyzed. No significant change was noted through 1 minute of exposure in any of the acid-base parameters measured. In the second study, 34 samples were again analyzed and then exposed in droplets for a full 5 minutes. Differences in measurement of pO2, base excess, and plasma lactate remained insignifiicant even up to 5 minutes. The results of this study demonstrate that the occasional slow scalp blood collection or admixture with air do not present a significant obstacle to proper use of fetal acid-base analysis.