Analysis of cord blood gas at delivery: questionnaire study of practice in the United Kingdom.

A consensus statement from the International Cerebral Palsy Task Force outlined essential criteria to define an acute perinatal hypoxic event; criteria included evidence of a metabolic acidosis in fetal umbilical arterial cord blood or in very early neonatal blood samples (pH < 7 and base deficit >12 mmol/l). Pathological fetal acidaemia may be correlated with an increased risk of neurological deficit. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives have jointly stated that “the routine measurement of cord blood gases is essential for all caesarean sections or instrumental deliveries for fetal distress indication and consideration should be given to measurement of cord blood gases following all deliveries. The presence of normal gases, but not pH alone, largely excludes hypoxia as a cause of brain damage and has important medicolegal implications.” We undertook a national survey of current practice and opinions regarding the analysis of cord blood gas at delivery.