title: Comparison of quantitative acid-elution technique and flow cytometry for detecting fetomaternal hemorrhage.
abstract: A study of the Kleihauer-Betke acid-elution technique for quantitating fetomaternal hemorrhage was performed to assess intra- and inter-technologist accuracy and precision as well as to delineate the statistically valid domain of the test as usually performed. The results were then compared to a parallel study quantitating fetomaternal hemorrhage by flow cytometry. Additionally, a statistical model for estimating efficacy of treatment with Rh immune globulin in the prevention of pregnancy-associated Rh(D) isoimmunization was developed. The results indicate that the acid-elution technique can be performed in a reproducible manner with acceptable accuracy and precision with whole blood fetomaternal hemorrhages 25 ml and higher if a background correction for false positive identification of fetal cells is included. Flow cytometric determination reveals significantly increased accuracy in comparison to the corresponding Kleihauer-Betke results.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology*; D005331:Fetomaternal Transfusion / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D008954:Models, Biological; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D012203:Rh Isoimmunization / Q000517:prevention & control