Cord / Neonatal blood groups

Blood Transfusion

Notes

• Cord blood groups need to be requested on all babies born to all RhD negative mothers
• Cord blood groups should also be requested on babies born to mothers who have irregular red cell antibodies
• Performed at CGH and GRH
• The following factors are known to significantly affect the performance of the examination or the interpretation of the results: lipaemia, sample clotted (if EDTA), haemolysed. Any sample displaying these factors cannot be processed and will be rejected

Sample Requirements

EDTA tube - 6mL

Or

EDTA tube - 4mL

Or

Required Information

Sample and request form must be labelled correctly with 4 points of reference:

1. Forename
2. Surname
3. Date of Birth
4. NHS or Hospital number

The sample must be signed and dated by the person taking the blood sample

The sample tube must be in date

Unlabelled, wrongly labelled or inadequately labelled specimens will not be accepted. No specimen is considered unrepeatable.

Turnaround times

Within 24 hours. Urgent cord blood groups samples can be done within 1-2 hours of receipt.