title: Use of capillary blood count parameters in adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Capillary samples can provide blood for cell counts in haematologic patients and blood donors. However, some accept only values from venous blood. This study compares capillary and venous blood counts to verify the hypothesis that they are equivalent.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed 463 capillary (fingerstick) and venous blood samples from 428 adults of both sexes (71% haematologic patients, 29% potential blood and apheresis donors). Both samples were taken at the same time from each subject. Haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), white blood cells (WBC), platelets, red blood cells (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular Hb (MCH) and mean corpuscular Hb concentration (MCHC) were measured using a haematology analyser (Advia 120, Bayer).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Capillary Hb, Hct, WBC, RBC, MCV and MCH were all significantly higher than the venous values [+0.2 mmol/l (+0.3 g/dl), +0.02 l/l (+2%), +0.2 x 10(9)/l, +0.1 x 10(12)/l, +3.1 fl and +0.01 fmol, respectively], whereas the capillary MCHC was lower (-0.6 mmol/l). There was no difference in platelets (-1 x 10(9)/l). Capillary Hb and Hct values were higher in patients with anaemia and polycythaemia, respectively. However, no significant differences occurred in severe thrombocytopenia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In adult haematologic patients, however, only the differences in Hb and Hct values may be of clinical relevance. For potential blood and apheresis donors, Hb and platelet screening are equivalent with either capillary and venous blood using a haematology analyser.
authors: Division of Haematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Magdeburg, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany. enrico.schalk@med.ovgu.de
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Schalk
authors: M U
authors: MU
authors: Heim
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Koenigsmann
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Jentsch-Ullrich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000379:methods*; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000097:blood; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054437:Myelodysplastic-Myeloproliferative Diseases / Q000097:blood