Baseexcessstdbldcovcalcscnc
A blood test that measures the acid-base balance in a newborn's umbilical cord blood to assess fetal oxygenation and health at birth.
{"Base excess measures the amount of acid or base in the blood","This test helps doctors assess if the baby received enough oxygen during labor","Negative values may indicate the baby experienced stress during birth","Results guide immediate newborn care decisions","The test uses blood from the umbilical cord, not from the baby directly"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 97774-4
- Short code
- Base excess std BldCoV Calc-sCnc
- Synonyms
- Base excess std BldCoV Calc-sCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- whole-blood
- Container
- Lavender-top (EDTA)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- calculated
- Specimen volume
- 3 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
The Base Excess test measures how much acid or base is in the baby's blood at the time of birth. It is calculated from a blood sample taken from the umbilical cord (the cord that connects the baby to the mother during pregnancy). This test is part of evaluating the baby's acid-base status, which reflects how well the baby was oxygenated during labor and delivery.
How is the sample collected?
After your baby is born, a healthcare provider will collect blood from the umbilical cord (the cord that is still attached to the placenta). This is done by clamping the cord and drawing blood from the portion still connected to the placenta. The baby does not need to have blood drawn directly. This procedure is safe and does not cause any harm to the mother or baby.
What do the results mean?
Base excess is reported as a number. A normal or slightly positive value (greater than -10 mmol/L) generally indicates the baby had good oxygen supply during labor. A negative value (less than -10 mmol/L) may indicate the baby experienced some oxygen deprivation during labor, which might require additional monitoring or care for the newborn.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Frequently asked questions
Does this test hurt my baby?
Why is this test done?
What is a normal result?
Will I need to make decisions based on this test?
Sources
- 1
- 2
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy