Umbilical cord blood for newborn DNA identification.
OBJECTIVE
To compare umbilical cord blood with newborn heel stick blood for newborn DNA identification.


METHODS
Prospective, correlational, comparative analysis utilizing a convenience sample of birth mothers and newborns.


METHODS
Labor and delivery unit in a large, private, not-for-profit community hospital.


METHODS
One hundred thirty four mother/infant dyads participated. Birth mothers were at least 18 years of age and able to read and understand English.


METHODS
Blood samples were collected from each newborn utilizing the umbilical cord and a heel stick. A blood sample was collected from each mother utilizing a finger stick.


METHODS
Computerized short tandem repeat analyses and visual matching to identify positive matches between the umbilical cord blood sample and heel stick sample.


RESULTS
Umbilical cord blood contains a DNA profile identical to the newborn heel stick sample that can be used to identify a newborn.


CONCLUSIONS
Umbilical cord blood samples are a valid source of newborn DNA identification.
Crouch
Suzanne J
SJ
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA.
Rowell
Kathleen R
KR
Beiser
Sharon O
SO
D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D002651:Child Advocacy; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003415:Crime; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D003878:Dermatoglyphics; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology; D030661:Genetic Privacy; D006365:Heel / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics; D017283:Neonatal Nursing; D033282:Parental Consent; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors