The Effectiveness of Fetal Lactate Measurement in the Assessment of Fetal Acidemia Using StatStrip Lactate Meter

Abstract

F etal lactate measurement in labor has been shown to be as effective as pH in the assessment and identification of fetal hypoxia. Fetal lactate is widely used in northern Europe, New Zealand, and United States to assess fetal acidemia. It has been endorsed by theNational Institute for Health and Care Excellence since December 2014. StatStrip Lactate is a rapid handheld point of care (POC) meter for the measurement of whole blood lactate level providing results within 13 seconds of testing thus enabling early identification of hyperlactatemia and babies at risk of hypoxia. Our study was carried out at City Hospital, Birmingham UK, a busy district general hospital.