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Screening for anemia in pregnancy with copper sulfate densitometry
L R Pistorius1, M Funk, R C Pattinson
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecoogy, Kalafong Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa.
Objective:
The copper sulfate method of screening for anemia was evaluated to determine its accuracy in antenatal patients.
Methods:
In an antenatal clinic in a tertiary referral center, which also serves a local urban black community, 100 antenatal patients were prospectively tested for anemia by Coulter hemoglobin analysis in comparison with the copper sulfate test. The respective accuracy and costs of the tests were evaluated.
Results:
Once initial technical difficulties had been overcome, the copper sulfate test proved accurate in detecting a hemoglobin level < 10 g% in pregnancy (sensitivity 94%, specificity 95%, positive predictive value 80%, negative predictive value 99%). The cost of the copper sulfate test is estimated to be less than 0.3% that of the Coulter test.
Conclusion:
The copper sulfate test is accurate and inexpensive, and can be recommended for screening for anemia in pregnancy.