title: The effect of anticoagulant, storage temperature and dilution on cord blood hematology parameters over time.
abstract: The objective of the study was to determine whether selected hematologic parameters measured on umbilical cord blood samples using an automated hematology analyzer (Sysmex XE-2100) were affected by (i) anticoagulant (the specimens were collected in EDTA vs. sodium heparin), (ii) temperature (the specimens were maintained at 4 degrees C vs. room temperature for up to 72 h) and (iii) 1 : 5 dilution vs. undiluted using the manufacturer's diluting solution. Use of heparin, instead of EDTA, had little effect on the hematologic results (n = 8) except for lower platelet and progenitor cell counts. Results were remarkably stable for 72 h at either room temperature or 4 degrees C except for modest red blood cell swelling at 24 h. Specimens of blood diluted at 1 : 5 had an immediate small, but significant change on white cell count (+13.3%), reticulocyte count (-11.2%) and reticulocyte hemoglobin content (-19.6%). Diluted samples did not change further over 4 h at room temperature. With a 1 : 5 dilution, analysis of 40 microl of cord blood stored for 3 days at room temperature may provide useful hematologic information with little phlebotomy loss.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Freise
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Gingerich
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Veng-Pedersen
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Widness
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000379:methods*; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin; D004492:Edetic Acid