ABSTRACT
Two experimental methods for collecting cord blood for acid-base analysis using green
top vacutainer tubes were compared with a standard method using heparinized syringes.
Paired samples from 30 newborn infants were collected using one of the vacutainer
methods and the standard heparinized syringe method. No significant differences in
pH, pCO2 base deficit, or pO2 were noted when comparing the two vacutainer methods with the standard syringe method.
Both vacutainer methods were substantially easier to use than the heparinized syringe
method. A green top vacutainer may be used to obtain an accurate cord blood sample
for assessment of an infant's acid-base status at birth, and to aid the neonatologist
as an indicator of intrapartum asphyxia.
