Cord Blood Testing is automatically performed on cord bloods from type O mothers, all Rh negative mothers, and mother’s with a clinically significant red cell allo-antibodies. All other cord blood samples submitted to the Blood Bank that do not meet this criteria have no testing performed.
Useful For
Cord blood samples are tested to identify cases of potential hemolytic disease of the newborn and to identify mothers who are candidates for Rh Immune Globulin (Rhogam).
Method Name
Hemagglutination (Tube and Gel Methods)
Aliases
Cord Blood, Cord Blood, Cord, Baby ABO, Baby ABO/Rh, Neonatal Testing
Specimen Type
Cord Blood collected at birth
Specimen Required
One small lavender-top tube, approximately 5 mL
One small red top tube, approximately 5 mL
Fully label the tubes with the Mother’s identification information (medical record label with Mother’s name and medical record number) with “Baby of” or “Cord Blood” written on the tubes.
Specimen Minimum Volume
1.0 mL of cord blood in a small lavender.
If cord blood sample is not available, a heel stick can be performed on the infant. Collect blood into two small lavender-top (EDTA) microtubes.
Specimen Stability Information
Stable at room temperature for 24 hours.
Rejected Due To
Any unlabeled or improperly labeled tubes will be rejected.
Special Instructions
Cord Blood Testing is automatically performed on cord bloods from type O mothers, all Rh negative mothers, and mother’s with a clinically significant red cell allo-antibodies. No testing is performed on cord blood samples that does not meet this criteria. Testing includes: ABO type, Rh type, and a direct coombs (DAT-IgG).
All other cord bloods samples are held in the Blood Bank for 10 days if testing is required at a later date.
Performing Laboratory
Glens Falls Hospital Laboratory
Reference Values
N/A
Day(s) and Time(s) Performed
24 hours 7 days a week
Analytical Time
STAT turn around time approximately 1 hour.
Routine samples around time is approximately 2- 4 hours.
Specimen Retention Time
10 Days
Reflex Tests
Weak D testing should ONLY be performed if mother is Rh negative and D testing is immediate spin negative (anti-D antisera fails to agglutinate during initial spin testing).
If a positive DAT is found, additional testing is only to be done if ordered by the physician (Ex: CBC, Reticulocyte count, Bilirubin, Eluate). Exceptions to this are positive DAT’s that cannot be attributed to ABO incompatibility or Rhogam administration. In these cases, an elution should be done.
Analytical Time
STAT turn around time approximately 1 hour.
Routine samples around time is approximately 2- 4 hours.