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Fetal Red Cells
Also known as : [Kleihauer Test]

Blood
Test performed by: LabPLUS Special Haematology

Specimen Collection
EDTA1 mL EDTA Blood
Reference Intervals

Reference Range:   < 0.05% fetal cells in normal adult blood.

Uncertainty of Measurement: 32%



Turnaround Time: 1 day
Diagnostic Use and Interpretation

The Kleihauer Test gives a good indication of the number of F-cells in the specimen.

The test can be used for:

  1. Determining the amount of fetal-maternal haemorrhage, e.g. for determining the amount of anti-D immunoglobulin required for an Rh D negative woman after an obstetric procedure.
  2. Kleihauer testing is not performed prior to 20--weeks gestation as the feto-maternal volume is sufficiently small to be covered by the standard dose of RhD-Ig.
  3. As part of a haemoglobinopathy study (see Haemoglobinopathy Screen)
  4. Detecting and/or confirming the fetal origin of samples collected for further specialised testing.


Contact Information

For further information contact the Special Haematology laboratory (Ext 22065) or:

Dr Anna Ruskova                                   Ext 22137
Dr Louisa Stone                                   Ext 22062 
Dr Peter Bradbeer                                             Ext 22062    



Last updated at 09:21:41 07/02/2023