title: Umbilical cord blood for newborn DNA identification.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Suzanne J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Crouch
authors.forename: Kathleen R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Rowell
authors.forename: Sharon O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Beiser
mesh_terms: 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