| Test Name: | Kleihauer - Betke Test |
| Epic Order Code: | Orderable by requisition only |
| CPT Code: | 85460 | | |
| Specimen(s) Type: | Blood from Mother; 5.0 mL |
| Acceptable Container(s): |   Tube top is purple (lavender) or pink. |
| Testing Schedule: | 24 hours, 7 days/week |
| Turn Around Time: | STAT: NA |
| | Routine: 4-6 hours |
| Collection Information: | No special patient preparation is required. Obtain specimen by standard collection procedures. Cord blood is not acceptable for this procedure. |
| Transport Information: | Deliver to lab immediately. All specimens must be signed into the laboratory. |
| Reference Clients: | If unable to deliver to the lab immediately, store and transport specimen at 2-8° C. Specimen must be received in the lab within 48 hours. All specimens drawn as outpatients will be for informational purposes only - not for transfusion. |
| Causes for Rejection: | Improperly labeled, incorrect container, contaminated, insufficient quantity, incorrect/delay in transport, grossly hemolyzed, failure to provide a properly completed Requisition Form and/or a Blood Infusion form. |
| Reference Range: | Negative |
| Additional Information: | Interpretive Use: The Kleihauer-Betke Test is a quantitative test to determine the amount of fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH) and in the case of Rh negative patients, to determine the number of vials of Rh immune globulin (Rhogam) that will be needed to protect against maternal Rh immunization. Results are expressed as the percent of Fetal Cells detected. |
| | Prenatal screen of mother and cord blood studies of infant must be performed previously when test is performed as part of a postpartum Rhogam work-up. Kleihauer-Betke Tests performed on adult patients possessing hemoglobin abnormalities such as thalassemia major and sickle cell anemia may be inconclusive due to the increased concentration of hemoglobin F that may occur in these patients. |
| | **All illegible/mislabeled specimen will be destroyed. There are no exceptions** |