Hemoglobin Testing in Pregnant Patients

This will be a prospective, observational study for which aim to recruit 200 patients over the study period. Patients will be approached at one of the MFA Obstetrics and Gynecology clinics. Once consented, they will be approached at least two time-points during their antenatal care as below:

• OB new/ first prenatal visit (usually between 12-18 weeks of gestation)
• OB return visit (usually between 24-28 weeks of gestation)

May need to get more Hb time-points readings (up to five readings) if the patient will be diagnosed with anemia at any of the previously mentioned visits or will be scheduled to have more blood draws during the prenatal care period. At each time-point visit, we plan to talk with the provider of the patient about the study. Then the study protocol and the recruitment process with the patient will be discussed. If the patient consents, the researchers will coordinate with the lab personnel the exact time of the routinely ordered blood draw (as a part of the subject's antenatal care) to determine the appropriate time to get the Hb readings using the devices (preferrably, right before the venipuncture). To obtain the readings, a study research coordinator will apply a disposable probe (Rainbow R1 25 adult adhesive sensor) connected to a Radical-7 co-oximeter sensor on the ring finger of the same arm of the venipuncture, shielded by an opaque covering to eliminate intereference from ambient light to obtain the SpHb reading. In addition, during in the same setting, we will ask for a finger prick capillary sample to get the Hemocue Hb reading as well (the same side will be used). Both readings will be tabulated in a case report form and the standard lab hemoglobin reading will be added to them once received. This is how it will validate the performance of the Masimo and the Hemocue devices with the routine lab test results. Additionally, the researchers will collect demographics, procedure-specific and some antenatal-care variables including vitals, gestational age and the exact date and time of the records at each time point visit, using a well-structured case report form.

Inclusion criteria

• Pregnant women ages 18-50 years old

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with hemoglobinopathies (qualitative defects, sickle-cell anemia) and hemoglobin synthesis disorders (quantitative defects such as thalassemia)
• Patients with peripheral vascular diseases and skin conditions that affect blood vessels in the digit
• Patients with hyperbilirubinemia