Cord Blood Sampling - A review of umbilical cord blood use for admission laboratory tests in the immediate newborn period.

Historically blood for admission laboratory studies in neonates was obtained through direct neonatal phlebotomy. Over the past decade there has been a significant increase in studies evaluating the validity and clinical impact of using a cord blood sample for many admission laboratory studies. This article reviews various studies that together suggest that using cord blood samples for admission testing in neonates is both acceptable and beneficial.