Fetal neural graft survival

discharged at 8 days with a haemoglobin concentration of 13.9 g/dl.Coagulation profiles at birth and at 6 weeks and developmental follow-up to 28 months were normal.Although fetal heart changes and meconium-stained liquor are correlated with fetal asphyxia, they do not indicate fetal distress as accurately as fetal blood pH.2 Measurement of this pH value provides an accurate assessment of the severity of fetal distress.The intrapartum caesarean section rate for suspected fetal distress is reduced when fetal blood sampling is used.Complications of such sampling include haemorrhage, infection, and breakages of the blade.Two haemorrhages resulting in one stillbirth and one neonatal death were reported in 640 cases,3 and bleeding from the sampling site in the postnatal period has been noted.4To obtain fetal blood from the scalp the fontanelles should be avoided, a small incision should be made with a lance designed to penetrate to a depth of 2-3 mm, and the incision should not exceed 2 mm.The incision site should be observed carefully until all bleeding has ceased.If bleeding persists the underlying cause should be sought.Postnatal examination of the infant should include examination of the sampling site.