Abstract
Blood counts were compared using simultaneous paired arterial catheter and capillary samples (n=13) or arterial catheter and peripheral venous samples (n=21) in infants of 25-31 weeks gestation (mean birthweight ± 1SD = 1211± 311 grams) during the first seven days of life.
Mean capillary haemoglobin was 2.3g/dL higher (p<0.001) than mean arterial haemoglobin and the difference was extremely variable (0.6-4.9g/dL). Although the mean venous haemoglobin was also significantly higher (p<0.001) than the arterial haemoglobin the difference was small (0.5g/dL) and much more consistent.
Mean absolute neutrophil count in capillary samples was 50% higher than in arterial samples (p<0.01) and was again very variable with differences of 0.4 to 5.6 × 109/L. The same pattern of capillary-arterial differences was noted for the total white blood cell count (p<0.001). Comparing venous and arterial samples: the venous total white blood cell count was higher (p<0.05) but the venous absolute neutrophil count was not higher (p>0.05) than the corresponding arterial samples with the difference being small - 5%.
Absolute lymphocyte, eosinophil and platelet counts did not vary significantly according to the site of sampling.
The discrepancy in haemoglobin and neutrophil counts between capillary samples and those from venous or arterial sites may lead to inappropriate action in this group of infants if sampling is from the capillary site.
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Thurlbeck, S., Mcintosh, N. 136 VARIABILITY OF BLOOD COUNT WITH SITE OF SAMPLING IN VERY IMMATURE INFANTS. Pediatr Res 20, 1056 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198610000-00191
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198610000-00191
