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Kleihauer Stain (Modified), Blood
MessageThe kleihauer stain is performed as the last step in screening for Rh negative mothers for RhoGAM® therapy (in this case order Rh Immunglobulin Evaluation (Laboratory Only), Blood), or use in the detection of a suspected bleed in a Rh positive patient.
Test Code
KLEH - NCMC
CPT Codes
85460
Preferred Specimen
1 mL whole blood from Purple EDTA tube
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Instructions
- Date of delivery, miscarriage or abortion and date of draw are required for processing.
- Specimen must arrive within 24 hours of draw.
Specimen Stability
| Temperature | Time |
| Ambient | 5 hours |
| Refrigerate | 24 hours |
Methodology
Acid Elution Resistance
Setup Schedule
Monday through Sunday; Continuously
Report Available
Same day
Reference Range
<0.1% fetal cells present
Clinical Significance
Fetal cell stain is used to determine the number of fetal red blood cells that have escaped into the maternal circulation.
Its primary use is in determining the amount of Rh(D) Immune Globulin (Human Rhogam) that should be administered to
Rh negative women who experienced trauma during which a fetal bleed may have occurred. The cells counted calculate
the approximate amount of Fetal Maternal bleed and the number of vials of Rh Immune Globulin to be administered.
Although the KB is used primarily for OB patients, there are times when the test is ordered to assess the distribution of
fetal hemoglobin in patients suspected or confirmed to have hemoglobin F present. Knowing the distribution of the fetal
hemoglobin, heterogeneous or homogeneous, is important for differentiating between hereditary persistence of fetal
hemoglobin (HPFH) and beta-thalassemia. If the pattern is homogeneous, it is more consistent with HPFH. If the pattern
is heterogeneous, it is more consistent with thalassemia.
Its primary use is in determining the amount of Rh(D) Immune Globulin (Human Rhogam) that should be administered to
Rh negative women who experienced trauma during which a fetal bleed may have occurred. The cells counted calculate
the approximate amount of Fetal Maternal bleed and the number of vials of Rh Immune Globulin to be administered.
Although the KB is used primarily for OB patients, there are times when the test is ordered to assess the distribution of
fetal hemoglobin in patients suspected or confirmed to have hemoglobin F present. Knowing the distribution of the fetal
hemoglobin, heterogeneous or homogeneous, is important for differentiating between hereditary persistence of fetal
hemoglobin (HPFH) and beta-thalassemia. If the pattern is homogeneous, it is more consistent with HPFH. If the pattern
is heterogeneous, it is more consistent with thalassemia.
Performing Laboratory
North Colorado Medical Center Laboratory
