HemoCue p-Glucose Photometer Evaluated for Use in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

upper range of linearity is -2000 mgfL. Thus this method may be performed with mecomum samples contaming HbF as little as 10% of total Hb by weight, for which the original color of the specimen may be brownish-green. Samples with relatively high Hb content may need to be diluted. To obtain the proper dilution, use a freshly made hemolysate containing 20 L of blood in 5 mL of water for comparison. There are no commercial quality-control samples available for assay of these specimens. However, control specimens can be easily prepared by lysing fresh blood cells in deionized water to generate a Hb solution of -10 mgfL. A positive blood specimen containing HbF should also be used. These solutions can be aliquoted into 1.5-mL fractions and, stored frozen or refrigerated, should be stable for at least 6 months. Stored at 4#{176}C, HbF decreases by -10% after 1 year. An HbF content >50% probably indicates that the blood is fetal in origin. Blood with HbF <10% definitely comes from the mother. Obviously, this procedure can-