Non-invasive Spot Hemoglobin Measurement in the Outpatient Obstetric Clinic

Pregnant women who are patients in the UT Medical Branch outpatient obstetric clinic will be screened for anemia using blood draw for CBC during the first prenatal visit. Those who are found to have anemia will be prospectively enrolled in this proof-of-concept study. Anemia will be defined according to the CDC guidelines (first and third trimesters hemoglobin level less than 11g/dL, and less than 10.5g/dL in the second trimester). Patients meeting these criteria will be approached for inclusion. If patients consent to participate, they will have their hemoglobin checked via the non-invasive monitor at the same time as their clinically indicated CBC testing. At the UT Medical Branch outpatient obstetric clinic, this is usually every 3-4 weeks and determined by the health care provider. The hemoglobin measured by the non-invasive monitor will be compared with the hemoglobin obtained via the complete blood count. Other data collected from the patient's medical record will include general characteristics such as demographics, medical history and hemoglobin levels obtained from blood draw.

Inclusion criteria

pregnant women aged 18-50 with anemia (hemoglobin less than 11g/dL during first and third trimester and less than 10.5g/dL during second trimester)

Exclusion criteria

patients with normal hemoglobin levels patients with hemoglobinopathy (sickle cell disease) patients who are incarcerated patients unwilling or unable to give consent