Fetal hemoglobin quantitations using the Hemocue system are rapid and accurate.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether hemoglobin quantitations using the Hemocue system, a rapid and portable hemoglobin photometer, on fetal blood obtained via funipuncture were accurate compared to the Coulter S-Plus IV. We also examined whether gestational age or extremes in hemoglobin levels significantly affected the accuracy of the Hemocue system.


METHODS
We performed fetal hemoglobin quantitations using both systems on 58 specimens obtained between 18-38 weeks' gestation. Correlation between values by both systems was determined by linear regression analysis. The effects of gestational age and hemoglobin extremes on the accuracy of the Hemocue system were evaluated by stepwise regression.


RESULTS
The mean Hemocue value was 12.0 +/- 2.4 g/dL (range 3.3-16.4); the mean Coulter value was 11.7 +/- 2.3 g/dL (range 3.6-16.2). The regression equation for Hemocue (y) versus Coulter (x) values was y = 0.72 + 0.97x; r = 0.94 (P < .0001). Neither gestational age nor hemoglobin extremes significantly affected the accuracy of the Hemocue system.


CONCLUSIONS
The Hemocue system is rapid and accurate for fetal hemoglobin quantitation between 18-38 weeks' gestation regardless of extremes in gestational age or hemoglobin levels.
Berry
S M
SM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University/Hutzel Hospital, Detroit, Michigan.
Dombrowski
M P
MP
Blessed
W B
WB
Bichalski
J A
JA
Jones
T B
TB
Cotton
D B
DB
D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006452:Hemoglobinometry / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors
D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin