[The Kleihauer-Bekte test in cases of suspected ectopic pregnancy]

Ectopic pregnancy is often difficult to diagnose, particularly in population groups that are prone to pelvic infections. In this study the use of the Kleihauer-Betke test for fetomaternal bleeding was examined in an attempt to improve diagnostic accuracy. The test was performed in 23 patients with ectopic pregnancies and in 19 control patients with normal intra-uterine pregnancies. Both groups were of more or less the same gestational age and parity. Whereas the test was positive in 31% of the control patients, indicating fetomaternal bleeding, it was positive in only 3 patients (13%) in the experimental group. The volume of fetomaternal blood in these 3 cases was 0,05 ml, 0,6 ml and 0.8 ml. These results indicate that the Kleihauer-Betke test is not a useful aid to diagnose cases of possible ectopic pregnancy, but confirm the fact that steps should be taken to prevent iso-immunization in susceptible cases.