![[ Visit Client Website ]](images/banner.gif)
Learning Objective 1: identify a noninvasive method of newborn identification using umbilical cord blood.
Learning Objective 2: assess the importance of using DNA which is the "gold standard" in person identification.
Methods: Blood samples were collected from 268 participants utilizing the umbilical cord and a heel stick. Blood samples were place on genecards and a genetic DNA profile was completed on each sample.
Results: Computerized short tantum repeat analysis revealed that the genetic profiles of the umbilical cord blood samples were identical to the genetic profiles of the newborn heel stick samples in all of the blood specimens.
Conclusion: The traumatic procedure of the heel stick can be eliminated with the utilization of umbilical cord blood to provide a DNA sample for newborn identification. As DNA technology advances, nursing professionals can help ensure even the tiniest patients benefit from ongoing nursing research.