The importance of checking cord gases – even when a baby is in good condition
- Even if a baby is clinically well, in a situation where there has been evidence of fetal distress, whether via CTG or an abnormal gas on fetal scalp blood sampling, it is essential that cord gases (ie umbilical artery and vein) should be analysed. The rationale for this is that poor cord gases can be associated with fetal asphyxia occurred during delivery which could result in subsequent HIE (hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy)
- A well looking baby with a cord gas with an arterial or venous a cord pH of ≤ 7.0 or cord gas base deficit more than 15 mmol/L may require admission. Discuss the case with your registrar as soon as possible.
- If you need to leave and the cord gases are being processed make sure you hand over to the midwives that they should contact you with abnormal cord gas results.
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