Point of care estimation of haemoglobin in neonates.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether measurement of haemoglobin concentration in neonates using point of care testing agrees with laboratory measurement.


METHODS
127 paired blood samples taken from babies on a neonatal intensive care unit for full blood count and blood gas analysis by point of care testing were reviewed according to current practice. A comparison was made between the laboratory and blood gas analyser haemoglobin measurements to assess limits of agreement and look for any systematic difference.


METHODS
Neonatal Unit, Jessop Wing, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK PATIENTS: Babies staying on the neonatal unit, who currently have contemporaneous blood samples taken for full blood count and blood gas analysis by point of care testing.


METHODS
Results from blood samples were reviewed.


METHODS
Comparison between laboratory and point of care testing haemoglobin concentrations.


RESULTS
The mean laboratory haemoglobin concentration was 155 g/l (range 30-226 g/l); the mean point of care testing haemoglobin concentration was 157 g/l (range 30-228 g/l). The mean (SD) difference between paired samples was 2 (11) g/l; 95% CI -4.0 to 0.1 g/l; and limits of agreement -23 to 19 g/l.


CONCLUSIONS
The blood gas analyser on the neonatal unit at Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, gives a useful estimation of haemoglobin concentration compared with laboratory measurement, with smaller sample volume. Although this does not replace a full blood count, it is a useful adjunct to neonatal care monitoring.
Hinds
Lucy E
LE
Paediatric Department, Barnsley Hospital Foundation Trust, Barnsley, UK. markandlucyhinds@gmail.com
Brown
Caroline L
CL
Clark
Simon J
SJ
D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000379:methods; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000379:methods; D006452:Hemoglobinometry / Q000379:methods; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000379:methods*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems
D006454:Hemoglobins