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Updated: Mar 23, 2026
A Precision Medicine Tool for Measurement and Monitoring of Hemoglobin S in Sickle Cell Disease Patients Receiving Transfusion Therapy
Reliability of spot-check transcutaneous hemoglobin measurement in children
Sule Paksu1, Muhammet Sukru Paksu2, Sadriye Ozdemir3
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.
Insights
Transcutaneous hemoglobin (Hb) measurements correlate well with traditional venous blood tests in children. This non-invasive method shows promise as a reliable alternative for monitoring hemoglobin levels.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Accurate hemoglobin (Hb) measurement is crucial for pediatric health assessment.
- Traditional venous blood sampling for Hb is invasive and can be challenging in children.
- Non-invasive methods for Hb assessment are needed to improve patient comfort and reduce procedural burden.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between spot-check transcutaneous hemoglobin (Hb) and simultaneously measured venous Hb in children.
- To evaluate the reliability of a non-invasive transcutaneous Hb measurement device compared to standard venous blood analysis.
Main Methods:
- 217 children (10-30 kg) with complete blood counts were enrolled.
- Transcutaneous Hb, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and perfusion index were measured using a thumb probe prior to venous blood sampling.
- Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis were used to compare transcutaneous and venous Hb measurements.
Main Results:
- The study included 217 children, with an average age of 53 months and weight of 16 kg.
- Mean venous Hb was 11.94 ± 1.15 g/dL and mean transcutaneous Hb was 12.42 ± 1.24 g/dL.
- An ICC of r = 0.67 indicated good reliability between transcutaneous and venous Hb measurements, confirmed by Bland-Altman analysis.
Conclusions:
- Transcutaneous and venous blood measurements of hemoglobin show a good correlation in children.
- Non-invasive transcutaneous Hb measurement may serve as a viable alternative to traditional methods in pediatric care.
- Further research can explore the clinical utility of transcutaneous Hb monitoring in diverse pediatric populations.
Background:
This study investigated the correlation between spot-check transcutaneous hemoglobin (Hb) and simultaneously measured venous Hb in children.
Methods:
Two hundred and seventeen children weighing 10-30 kg in whom complete blood count had been obtained for any reason were enrolled in this study. Demographic characteristics and vital signs were recorded. Prior to taking blood samples, transcutaneous Hb, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and perfusion index were measured using a probe connected to the subject's thumb. To determine the reliability of the transcutaneous measurement versus venous blood measurement performed via an autoanalyzer device, interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated. The correlation between the two measurements was evaluated on Bland-Altman analysis.
Results:
A total of 59.4% of the patients were boys. The average age was 53 months (range, 6-132 months). Average bodyweight was 16 kg (range, 10-25 kg). Mean venous Hb, hematocrit, and transcutaneous Hb were 11.94 ± 1.15 g/dL, 35.8 ± 3.2%, and 12.42 ± 1.24 g/dL, respectively. The ICC for the reliability of the transcutaneous measurements versus venous blood measurements was r = 0.67 (95%CI: 0.5776-0.7526). The correlation between the two sets of measurements was good, as evaluated by the Bland-Altman analysis.
Conclusion:
There is good correlation between transcutaneous and venous blood measurements of Hb. In the future, transcutaneous measurement, as a non-invasive method, may be an alternative for the measurement of Hb in childhood.
