Screening for anemia in pregnancy with copper sulfate densitometry.
OBJECTIVE
The copper sulfate method of screening for anemia was evaluated to determine its accuracy in antenatal patients.


METHODS
In an antenatal clinic in a tertiary referral center, which also serves a local urban black community, 100 antenatal patients were prospectively tested for anemia by Coulter hemoglobin analysis in comparison with the copper sulfate test. The respective accuracy and costs of the tests were evaluated.


RESULTS
Once initial technical difficulties had been overcome, the copper sulfate test proved accurate in detecting a hemoglobin level < 10 g% in pregnancy (sensitivity 94%, specificity 95%, positive predictive value 80%, negative predictive value 99%). The cost of the copper sulfate test is estimated to be less than 0.3% that of the Coulter test.


CONCLUSIONS
The copper sulfate test is accurate and inexpensive, and can be recommended for screening for anemia in pregnancy.
Pistorius
L R
LR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecoogy, Kalafong Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa.
Funk
M
M
Pattinson
R C
RC
Howarth
G R
GR
D000740:Anemia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003300:Copper; D019327:Copper Sulfate; D003720:Densitometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003300:Copper; D019327:Copper Sulfate