Development of a new staining protocol for the Kleihauer-Betke test to facilitate the reading of difficult cases.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Kleihauer-Betke (KB) test allows the detection of fetal red blood cells (containing fetal hemoglobin, HbF) in the maternal blood to identify and quantify potential fetal-maternal hemorrhages. In certain cases, detecting fetal red blood cells with conventional staining is difficult. False-positive results or overestimation of the quantity of fetal red blood cells may occur in cases of maternal hemoglobinopathy. In this study, we developed a new staining protocol to facilitate the reading of difficult smears and improve the precision of the quantification of fetal red blood cells; we also analyzed the performance of this new method. This study assessed blood samples with and without hemoglobin abnormalities, which present difficulties when interpreting the KB test.

SUBMITTER: Serban A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10823721 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature