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.

DESIGN

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.

SETTING

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.

INTERVENTION

Results from blood samples were reviewed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

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.