Diagnostic accuracy of Kleihauer-Betke (Kb) testing to predict fetal outcomes associated with fetomaternal hemorrhage: a retrospective cohort study.
J Perinatol 2022;
42:91-96. [PMID:
34408259 DOI:
10.1038/s41372-021-01185-5]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the diagnostic and screening utility of Kleihauer-Betke (KB) testing as a triage tool in predicting adverse fetal outcomes associated with fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH).
STUDY DESIGN
Single center retrospective cohort study evaluated a primary composite outcome of fetal complications associated with FMH between KB-negative and KB-positive test groups. Screening tests for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were determined.
RESULTS
641 women (97%) had KB-negative and 22 (3%) had KB-positive tests. The primary composite outcome between KB-negative and KB-positive pregnancies was similar (30% vs. 36%, p = 0.54). Screening exhibited high specificity (97%), however, test sensitivity was poor (4%) with only moderate positive and negative predictive values (36.4 and 69.7%).
CONCLUSION
Fetal outcomes associated with FMH were not significantly different between KB-positive and KB-negative test cohorts; KB testing offers no diagnostic precision in the emergency triage evaluation of women with suspected FMH.
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