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Cord blood
Definition:
A blood sample 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 preparation for the test is necessary on your part.
How the test will feel:
Nothing outside the normal birthing process will be felt.
Why the test is performed:
The test is performed to assess:

Normal Values:
Normal values indicate that all items evaluated are within normal range.
What abnormal results mean:

Fetal acidemia is defined by a pH less than 7.2, although some investigators feel that 7.10 is a more reasonable definition. Further evaluation of pH and base deficit values will determine whether the acidemia is a result of little blood flow or oxygen exchange between the mother and placenta, or from cord compression.

A blood culture that is positive for bacteria indicates septicemia.

Elevated levels of glucose indicate maternal diabetes, and your health care provider know that your child should be watched for rebound hypoglycemia.

Elevate bilirubin could indicate:
What the risks are:
There are no risks above and beyond those normally experienced by the mother and child at the time of birth.
Special considerations:

Most hospitals routinely collect a cord blood, since it is relatively convenient to do so and the only time it is possible, if your child has a normal and uneventful childbirth your health care provider may choose to only run selected tests on the sample.
Review Date: 5/27/2001
Reviewed By: Dominic Marchiano, M.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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