title: The effect of haemolysis on the metabolomic profile of umbilical cord blood.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Metabolomics is defined as the comprehensive study of all low molecular weight biochemicals, (metabolites) present in an organism. Using a systems biology approach, metabolomics in umbilical cord blood (UCB) may offer insight into many perinatal disease processes by uniquely detecting rapid biochemical pathway alterations. In vitro haemolysis is a common technical problem affecting UCB sampling in the delivery room, and can hamper metabolomic analysis. The extent of metabolomic alteration which occurs in haemolysed samples is unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Visual haemolysis was designated by the laboratory technician using a standardised haemolysis index colour chart. The metabolomic profile of haemolysed and non-haemolysed UCB serum samples from 69 healthy term infants was compared using both (1)H-NMR and targeted DI and LC-MS/MS approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified 43 metabolites that are significantly altered in visually haemolysed UCB samples, acylcarnitines (n=2), glycerophospholipids (n=23), sphingolipids (n=7), sugars (n=3), amino acids (n=4) and Krebs cycle intermediates (n=4).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This information will be useful for researchers in the field of neonatal metabolomics to avoid false findings in the presence of haemolysis, to ensure reproducible and credible results.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Brain Research Group (NBRG), Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), University College Cork and Cork University Maternity Hospital, Ireland. Electronic address: n.denihan@ucc.ie.
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Denihan
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Brain Research Group (NBRG), Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), University College Cork and Cork University Maternity Hospital, Ireland.
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Reinke
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Sykes
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Computing Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mandal
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Computing Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Wishart
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Broadhurst
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Brain Research Group (NBRG), Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), University College Cork and Cork University Maternity Hospital, Ireland.
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Boylan
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Brain Research Group (NBRG), Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), University College Cork and Cork University Maternity Hospital, Ireland.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D055432:Metabolomics; D011247:Pregnancy; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
keywords: Biobanking; Haemolysis; Hemolysis; Metabolomics; Umbilical cord blood