What is a Kleihauer test in pregnancy?

The Kleihauer-Betke test (KB) is a blood test used during pregnancy to quantify the amount of fetal blood found in the maternal circulation.

What does a positive Kleihauer test mean?

With a positive KB test, the significant risk of pre-term labour mandates detailed monitoring. KB testing has important advantages to all maternal trauma victims, regardless of Rh status.

Why is a Kleihauer test performed?

The Kleihauer Betke test is utilized to determine if there is fetal blood in maternal circulation, with a threshold of 5 mL. The rosette test is performed by incubating the Rh-negative maternal venous whole blood sample with anti-Rho(D) immune globulin.

When should a Kleihauer test be done?

This test should be performed and any subsequent Anti-D required administered within 72 hours of delivery, sensitising event or invasive procedure.

What is a normal Kleihauer Betke test?

The normal range is 0 to 0.1% as reported by the lab. Calculations for Estimating the Number of Vials of Rhogam Needed: One 300 ml vial of RhIG will protect against 30 ml of D-positive fetal blood.

Does the mother’s blood mix with the baby?

The mother’s blood does not normally mix with the baby’s blood during the pregnancy, unless there has been a procedure (such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling) or vaginal bleeding. During delivery, however, there is a good chance that some of the baby’s blood cells will enter the mother’s bloodstream.

Why can mom and baby blood never mix?

Blood type incompatibility only becomes a problem after a mother develops antibodies against her baby’s blood cells. These antibodies don’t develop until a mother is “sensitized,” which occurs when the mother’s and baby’s blood mix during pregnancy.

Why do I need an anti d injection?

Rhesus disease can largely be prevented by having an injection of a medication called anti-D immunoglobulin. This can help to avoid a process known as sensitisation, which is when a woman with RhD negative blood is exposed to RhD positive blood and develops an immune response to it.

What is a biophysical profile in pregnancy?

A fetal biophysical profile is a prenatal test used to check on a baby’s well-being. The test combines fetal heart rate monitoring (nonstress test) and fetal ultrasound to evaluate a baby’s heart rate, breathing, movements, muscle tone and amniotic fluid level.

What causes a fetal maternal hemorrhage?

FMH can follow maternal abdominal trauma. Hemorrhages have occurred following maternal falls and motor vehicle accidents. It has also been linked to various obstetric procedures such as external cephalic version,26 manual removal of a retained placenta,27 or amniocentesis.


What is the principle of Kleihauer screen?

Test description

The principle of this test is to differentiate fetal and maternal blood cells based on the type of hemoglobin that is present. The test utilizes a specialized solution that will stain fetal and maternal cells differently.

What does a positive fetal screen mean?

Test description

If the test is positive, a quantitative test such as the Kleihauer-Betke Quantitative test is required to determine the volume of fetal-maternal hemorrhage and estimate the amount of Rh Immune Globulin (RhIG) needed to prevent alloimmunization.

How do you pronounce Kleihauer?

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What is Kleihauer-Betke test used for?

Background: In maternal trauma, the Kleihauer-Betke (KB) test has traditionally been used to detect transplacental hemorrhage (TPH), so that Rh-negative women could receive appropriate Rh immune prophylaxis.

How does anti D work?

Anti-D works by destroying any RhD positive blood from the baby present in the mother’s circulation before she can make her own antibodies. This means that the mother does not have the antibodies available to cause HDN in any future pregnancies with an RhD positive baby.

When do you give anti D?

Routinely, the Anti D injection is given to pregnant Rh Negative women at around 28 weeks and 36 weeks gestation. A sample of the mother’s blood is collected at delivery, for a test called either Quantative Feto-Maternal Haemorrhage (QFMH) or Kleihauer.