Use of umbilical cord blood gas analysis in the assessment of the newborn.

I n 1958, James et al recognised that umbilical cord blood gas analysis can give an indication of preceding fetal hypoxic stress. It has since become widely accepted that umbilical cord blood gas analysis can provide important information about the past, present and possibly the future condition of the infant. Umbilical cord blood gas analysis is now recommended in all high-risk deliveries by both the British and American Colleges of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 3 and in some centres it is practised routinely following all deliveries. It is therefore of increasing clinical and medicolegal importance that clinicians caring for newborn infants are familiar with the principles and practice of obtaining and interpreting cord blood gas values, and with the underlying evidence base.