Original article
Comparison of venipuncture blood counts with microcapillary measurements in screening for anemia in one-year-old infants*

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3476(82)80175-3Get rights and content

The microhematocrit measurement of fingerstick blood in infants gives elevated values compared to venous hematocrits measured simultaneously in a Coulter Model S electronic counter. Thirty one-year-old infants had a mean microhematocrit of 36.6, significantly higher (P<0.001) than the mean venous Coulter S hematocrit of 34.6. Three children, who appeared to be normal by microhematocrit measurement, were found to be anemic by Coulter S measurement; in these children the microhematocrits were elevated 13.6%, 12.5%, and 5.1%, respectively, above venous Coulter S levels. Complete blood counts were measured concurrently on venipuncture specimens and on capillary samples. There was excellent correlation for mean cell volume (r=0.98), but poor correlation for hemoglobin (r=0.81) and hematocrit (r=0.77). Four of 30 children had borderline low venipuncture hemoglobin values (≤11.5 gm/dl) that were not detected by the capillary method. The inaccuracy of the fingerstick microhematocrit method and the discrepancy between the venipuncture and capillary Coulter S values supports that choice of venipuncture blood counts as the preferred method of screening for anemia in one-year-old infants.

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*

Supported in part by the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Clinical Investigation Program, Protocol No. 757.

The opinions or assertations expressed in this paper are those of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as necessarily reflecting the views of the Department of the Navy or the naval service at large.

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