RE: [ozmidwifery] Routine collection and testing of cord blood

[Lindsay Kennedy]

We collect cord blood routinely on all babies and send to lab for coombs etc Babies of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander mothers have two tubes sent, the second for syphyllis serology.  Cord gases are also performed routinely on all babies.    Lindsay From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Susan Cudlipp Sent: Wednesday, 24 August 2005 11:39 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Routine collection and testing of cord blood   I agree, what a waste of time and money as well as your other concerns. We collect a small ammount of cord blood at each birth.  The reason given is so that we have some of baby's blood if s/he should develop any infection or extreme jaundice, that it might be tested. It is discarded after a few days. I have never actually known of this being used, but I may be wrong. Cord blood is taken for Rh-v as well but we do not bleed the babies - surely that is not necessary. We don't do routine cord blood cultures as part of infection screens anymore, but the babies usually have CRP on day 1 & 2. Mec liquor, PROM, GBS, unbooked clients and maternal fever are the ones who have routine infection screen Cord blood collection via private agencies is coming in fast and I for one, find this worrying.  Some hospitals routinely clamp and cut a section of cord asap to check the Ph level.   Sounds like this needs to be challenged Good luck, Sue "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" Edmund Burke ----- Original Message ----- From: Helen and Graham To: ozmidwifery Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2005 8:02 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Routine collection and testing of cord blood   I have another question, this time regarding the routine collection of cord blood.  In previous places I have worked, we only collected it for RH negative women or those with no antenatal blood results available.  Even if the woman was RPR positive, the doctors would still bleed the baby to get a more accurate result instead of relying on the results of the cord blood.  There were no other indications for collecting it.    At the place I now work, we are still collecting it on every patient and they are all being tested for group and coombs etc.  This seems a total waste of time and money to me as well as an unnecessary occupational safety risk to staff.     The only other reason I see to justify collecting it would be if it could be used in a cord blood bank?  Does anyone know if this is the case?     Looking forward to some more advice....     Helen Cahill  No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.14/79 - Release Date: 22/08/2005

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