Utility of HemoCue in estimation of hemoglobin against standard blood cell counter method.
BACKGROUND
There are various methods which have been recommended for haemoglobin (Hb) estimation for assessment of anaemia. Each method has it's advantages and limitations.


OBJECTIVE
The present study was conducted to assess the utility of HemoCue, a recent method, in assessment of haemoglobin against the standard blood cell counter (BCC) method.


METHODS
Eighty five venous blood samples were collected, Hb was assessed in each by utilising the HemoCue and BCC methods. The results were compared utilising the standard statistical methods.


RESULTS
The HemoCue provided consistently higher value in comparison to BCC by a margin of 0.5 g/dl. It is known that the correlation coefficient is independent of change of origin but mean gets affected. Therefore, we can subtract 0.5 g/dl from the Hb estimates achieved by HemoCue through which all conditions regarding better agreement between both methods get satisfied. The two assays correlated well.


CONCLUSIONS
The HemoCue method was found more rapid and easy in assessment of total hemoglobin as compared to blood cell counter method with an adjustment of 0.5 per dl.
Prakash
S
S
Dept. of Human Nutrition, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
Kapil
U
U
Singh
G
G
Dwivedi
S N
SN
Tandon
M
M
D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006452:Hemoglobinometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests