Is the fetus "scalped" in labour?
O'Connor, M.C.; Hytten, F.E.; Zanelli, G.D.
Lancet 2(8149): 947-949
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0140-6736 PMID: 91035 Document Number: 140518
Capillary blood-flow and tissue oxygenation of the human scalp and/or forearm skin were measured in 3 adult volunteers. Skin pressure required to occlude circulation was much lower for the scalp than for the forearm skin, and tissue oxygenation fell rapidly when capillary blood-flow fell below .apprx. 3 ml/100 g tissue per min. Since scalp circulation is not representative of the general circulation when pressure is applied, the tissue oxygenation level of the fetal scalp in labor (obtained by direct sampling or by transcutaneous electrodes) is not a good indicator of the well-being of a fetus.