• I J Rechner, A Twigg, A F Davies, and S Imong.
• Neonatal Department, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Barrack Road, Exeter EX2 5DE, UK. ianorjennie@rechner99.freeserve.co.uk
• Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2002 May 1;86(3):F188-9.

ObjectiveTo compare the measurement of haemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) using the HemoCue haemoglobinometer with that using the Coulter STKS haemoglobinometer.DesignThirty two EDTA samples were taken from neonates. [Hb] was measured in these samples using the HemoCue; the samples were then transferred to the haematology laboratory for [Hb] determination with the Coulter STKS. In addition, [Hb] was determined in 50 different random EDTA neonatal samples already held in the laboratory, using the HemoCue and Coulter STKS.PatientsNeonates in the intensive care and low dependency Units of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.InterventionsSamples were collected from arterial lines or by venepuncture or heel prick into an EDTA bottle.Main Outcome Measures[Hb] using the HemoCue and Coulter STKS methods.ResultsThe mean [Hb] measured using the HemoCue was 150.3 g/l (range 78-215) compared with 152.8 g/l (range 78-217) measured using the Coulter STKS, with a mean of the differences of 2.5 g/l. The standard deviation of the differences of the 82 samples was 3.73 g/l. The limits of agreement of the two methods (mean difference +/- 2SD) were -4.8 to +9.8 g/l.ConclusionWith adequate training and monitoring, the HemoCue can be used directly on the neonatal unit for rapid determination of [Hb] to within 7.5 g/l compared with the laboratory Coulter STKS, using much smaller sample volumes.

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