A simple method for HbF analysis.

Spectrophotometric methods with CO-oxymeters for measurements of carboxyhemoglobin and/or oxygen saturation in human blood include a systematic error depending on the percentage of fetal hemoglobin. It is of clinical importance to estimate the fetal hemoglobin to correct HbCO and SO2 values respectively. The described method is simple and less time consuming than conventional methods like HPLC or electrophoresis. The two measurements of oxy- and carboxyhemoglobin in the same blood sample with different oxygen saturation are needed for the estimation of the HbF and can be performed, including the deoxygenation procedure, in about 40 minutes.