The Effect of Delayed Transportation of Blood Samples on Serum Bilirubin Values in Neonates
- Author:
Poovendran Saththasivam
;
Kirtanaa Voralu
;
Noraida Ramli
;
Mohd Rafi Mustapha
;
Julia Omar
;
Hans Van Rostenberghe
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
bilirubin, neonatal jaundice, transportation, time factors, specimen handling, medical sciences
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
2010;17(3):27-31
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background: Delays in transporting blood samples may cause inaccurate results. Samples
may be exposed to light or heat during delays, resulting in the degradation of analytes, for example,
bilirubin. This study was done to determine the effect of delays in the transportation of blood samples
on serum bilirubin test results.
Methods: Samples taken from neonates admitted to a tertiary hospital with jaundice were
included in the study. The samples were collected through venipuncture in 3 labelled containers. The
first container was sent immediately to the laboratory, while the second and third containers were
sent after being kept in the ward for 1 and 3 hours, respectively. Bilirubin values were measured
colourimetrically at a wavelength of 578 nm using a Roche Hitachi 912 Chemistry Analyser upon
arrival in the laboratory.
Results: A total of 36 serum samples were studied. The mean of the indirect bilirubin
measurements for 0-, 1-, and 3-hour samples were 174 (SD 68.65), 186.97 (SD 60.47), and 184.56 (SD
66.93), respectively. There was a significant difference in the mean indirect bilirubin measurement
of 1-hour samples (P = 0.047, 95% CI -24.66 to -1.18) and 3-hour samples (P = 0.045, 95% CI -19.77 to
-0.23) compared with 0-hour samples. There were no significant differences observed in either the
mean total bilirubin or the mean direct bilirubin measurements of different time intervals.
Conclusion: This study confirms that delays in the transportation of blood samples influence
the bilirubin test results.
- Full text:W020151022494209406550.pdf
