Specimen:

Peripheral Blood (maternal)

Collection Medium:

Alternate
Collection Media:

Pink top tube (EDTA sprayed)

Minimum:

Preferred Minimum:  5 mL whole blood
Absolute Minimum:  0.5 mL whole blood

Rejection Criteria:

Hemolyzed or clotted samples and samples older than 72 hours.
Cord Blood is NOT an acceptable sample type.

Delivery Instructions:

Deliver to laboratory immediately after collection.
Refrigerate at 2-8 degrees C

Testing Schedule:

0800-1630 Monday through Friday.  For additional services, 
contact Clinical Pathology Resident on-call at pager #3404.

Analytic Time:

3 working days

Reference Range:

By Report

Interpretive Data:

Result       Interpretation

% Fetal      The fetal RBC percentage is directly measured by flow
RBCs         cytometry and gives the percentage of fetal RBCs in
             maternal circulation resulting from recent fetal-maternal
             hemorrhage.  Post-partum, some fetal cells are expected
             (0.04 +/- 0.024%, mean +/- SD).

Fetal Blood  Fetal blood volume is the volume of feto-maternal
Volume       hemorrhage and is calculated from the % Fetal RBCs by
             multiplying by 50, assuming a maternal blood volume of
             5000 mL and a hematocrit of 50%.  Post-partum, some
             feto-maternal hemorrhage is expected (2.0 +/- 1.2 mL,
             mean +/- SD.)

RhIg         Given the delivery of an RhD+ fetus from an RhD- mother,
Required     the amount of IM RhIg (anti-RhD immunoglobulin) required
             to avoid sensitization is 10 ug for each mL of feto-
             maternal hemorrhage.

RhIg Vials   Given the delivery of an RhD+ fetus from an RhD- mother,
Required     one (1) vial of RhD (300 ug vial administered IM) is
             recommended when the amount of RhD required is <300 ug.
             From 300-600 ug, 2 vials are recommended; from 600-900 ug,
             3 vials are recommended; from 900-1200 ug, 4 vials are
             recommended; from 1200-1500 ug, 5 vials are recommended.

Comments:

This test should only be used to detect and quantify the extent of 
fetomaternal hemorrhage, in pregnant or post-partum women who need to 
be assessed for Rh immune globulin (e.g. RhoGAM) or fetal-maternal 
bleeds.

Methodology:

Flow Cytometry

CPT Code:

88184

See Additional Information:
Specimens Requiring Immediate Delivery