The measurement of accurate fetal hemoglobin and related oxygen saturation by the hemoximeter.
BACKGROUND
The purposes of this study were to examine the accuracy of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) as quickly measured by the hemoximeter, verified by the high-performance liquid chromatography method, and to examine related oxygen saturation (SO(2)) measurements in neonates.


METHODS
Thirty-nine neonates with gestational ages ranging from 25 to 38 weeks were investigated (n=280 blood samples). Twenty younger premature neonates had blood transfusions (n=188 blood samples, 72 before and 116 after transfusions), and 19 older neonates did not.


RESULTS
The bias of the hemoximeter was 23% (+/-9.1) against the HPLC; 25% (+/-7.9) before, and 19% (+/-8.6) after blood transfusions (all P<0.001), for HbF measurements. A regression line (HbFt by the HPLC=8.46+0.7 x HbF by the hemoximeter) has been provided for the prediction. Oxyhemoglobin dissociation curves with the status of (before and after) blood transfusions were presented. In relation to oxygen tension values of 50-75 mm Hg, in addition to the right-shifted oxyhemoglobin dissociation curves, pulse oximeter ranged from 95 to 98% before the transfusions, but decreased to 94 to 96% after the blood transfusions.


CONCLUSIONS
Accurate HbF and related oxygen saturation measurements need to be determined, especially for premature neonates, to minimize the risk of oxygen toxicity.
Shiao
Shyang-Yun Pamela K
SY
ANA ANCC Magnet Fellow-Appraiser for Nursing Excellence, School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6901 Bertner Ave. SONSCC 567-8, Houston, Texas 77030, United States. pshiao@earthlink.net
Ou
Ching-Nan
CN
Pierantoni
Hector
H
D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010092:Oximetry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin; D010100:Oxygen