Are we ready for widespread implementation of lactate POCT in fetal blood sampling? An analytical and clinical verification of the novel statstrip POCT analyzer

Currently, pH values are used in fetal scalp blood sampling as a parameter to rule out fetal distress during the delivery. Due to a high number of pre-analytical errors in pH measurements, lactate measurement is already extensively examined as an alternative. Our objectives were to confirm the analytical performance of the StatStrip lactate POCT analyzer and to compare pH and lactate as a marker of fetal distress.