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Test Code LAB15186 KLEIHAUER TEST, BLOOD

Important Note

Maternal Rh status and testing indication should be provided with each order. 

EDTA anticoagulated maternal blood collected after delivery.  Specimen is acceptable if drawn within 6 days of performing the test and has been maintained a 4 C.  Clotted, hemolyzed, and centrifuged samples are not acceptable for testing and should be rejected.

Additional Codes

Primary ID Epic Code Atlas Code Mayo Access ID Order LOINC
LAB15186 LAB15186 LAB15186 FAH5943 32140-6

 

Result Components

Reporting Name Epic Code Atlas Code Mayo Access ID LOINC
Kleihauer Test 12301011923 LRR11923 FAH5944 32140-6
mL F/M Hemorrhage 12301011924 LRR11924 FAH5945 48555-7
Dose of RhIg 12301011925 LRR11925 FAH5946 1313-6

 

Specimen Information

Container Specimen Temperature Collect Vol Submit Vol Min Vol Stability
Lav Top Tube Whole Blood Refrigerate 4 mL 4 mL 1.5 mL 7 days

 

Test Schedule / Analytical Time / Test Priority

Monday – Friday 7 am to 3:30 only / 1 day / Not available STAT

Method

Acid Elution of Adult Hemoglobin

CPT(s)

Description CPT Code
Kleihauer Test, Blood 85460

Instrumentation

Manual Method

Reference Range

Negative

Section

Hematology

Performing Location

University of Vermont Medical Center

Is the UVMMC lab NY State Certified to perform this testing?  Yes/No

Yes

Clinical Indications

Definitely Indicated

Clinical Judgment

Not Indicated

RhIG (if positive fetal screen)

Maternal Trauma; External cephalic version

 

Fetal loss > 20wks

Neonatal Anemia

Non-traumatic abruption

Fetal hydrops

Cord blood sample

Vaginal bleeding

High clinical concern for massive fetal maternal hemorrhage with MCA dopplers

 

If the patient is Rh (-) a Fetal Screen Test should be initially ordered.  A Kleihauer-Betke will automatically be reflexed and run on all positive fetal screens.

The Kleihauer-Betke (KB) test is designed to quantitate fetal red blood cells, but the results have been shown to be imprecise with a large coefficient of variation (CV).  It is often utilized to quantitate large fetomaternal hemorrhages at the time of delivery in Rh (-) women for appropriate dosing of RhIG to prevent Rh alloimmunization. Although it can be used during pregnancy in both Rh (-) and Rh (+) women to detect fetomaternal hemorrhage, the evidence to support its utility are limited and results should be interpreted with caution.