Perinatal Testing Services - Edmonton, AB
Test Catalogue
Contact Information
Canadian Blood Services
Edmonton Centre
Diagnostic Services
8249 114 St.
Edmonton, AB T6G 2R8
AB-NWT Diagnostic Services Contact Information
Recommended Perinatal Test Guidelines
Recommended Perinatal Test Guidelines AB (PDF)
Additional samples may be submitted for patients at increased risk of allo-immunization (previous transfusion, fetal trauma or procedure, IV drug use, etc.).
Canadian Blood Services (CBS) provides screening of pregnant women for blood type and red blood cell antibodies under a program funded by BC Ministry of Health. This screening provides information to assist physicians, midwives and nurse practitioners in ensuring the appropriate management of a pregnancy for both the mother and baby.
| Clinical scenario | Sample submission timelines |
|---|---|
| First Pregnancy ABO and Rh(D) typing Red Cell Antibody Screen | Initial visit and at 26-28 weeks gestation |
| Rh positive – previous report on file – antibody screen negative ABO and Rh(D) typing Red Cell Antibody Screen | *Initial visit *Additional samples may be submitted for patients at increased risk of allo-immunization (previous transfusion, fetal trauma or procedure, IV drug use, etc.) |
| Rh negative – antibody screen negative ABO and Rh(D) typing Red Cell Antibody Screen | Initial visit and 26-28 weeks gestation sample to be collected prior to RhIG injection) |
Clinically significant antibodies detected ABO and Rh(D) typing Red Cell Antibody identification / exclusions Titration | Initial visit and monthly during 1st and 2nd trimester Every two weeks during 3rd trimester |
Clinically significant antibodies with critical titres ABO and Rh(D) typing Red Cell Antibody identification / exclusions | Initial visit and monthly during 1st and 2nd trimester Note: Clinically significant antibody will no longer be titred once it has reached a critical value of ‘16’. If the clinically significant antibody identified is a Kell sytem antibody (i.e. anti-K), titration is not required as detection of anti-K is a critical result regardless of titre strength. Note: Patient referral to Maternal-Fetal Medicine Clinic is strongly recommended. |
Father ABO and Rh (D) Typing Red Blood Cell Phenotyping | When the mother has a clinically significant antibody the father’s specimen is requested by CBS for phenotyping to predict the risk of hemolytic disease of the fetus/newborn (HDFN). |
Available Perinatal Tests
- Maternal Routine Testing (ABO/Rh Typing/Antibody Screen)
- Father's Rh Typing (when maternal Rh is negative) - when requested by CBS
- Cord/Neonate Testing (ABO/Rh/DAT - HDFN Investigation)
- Post Natal Testing - Rh Negative Mothers
- Fetal Bleed Screening Test (FMH Rapid Screen)
- Kleihauer-Betke - Quantitative Test for Fetal Bleed
- RHD Genotyping
- Fetal Genotyping from Maternal Plasma
- Fetal Genotyping from Amniotic Fluid
Perinatal Requisitions and Forms
TEST | REQUISITIONS AND FORMS |
|---|---|
Maternal Routine Testing (ABO/Rh Typing/Antibody Screen) | Perinatal Testing for Red Blood Cell Serology (PDF) |
Father's Rh Typing (when maternal Rh is negative) - when requested by Canadian Blood Services | Perinatal Testing for Red Blood Cell Serology (PDF) (Electronic Fillable Form) |
| Cord/Neonate Testing (ABO/Rh/DAT - HDFN Investigation) | Perinatal Testing for Red Blood Cell Serology (PDF) |
| Post Natal Testing - Rh Negative Mothers | Perinatal Testing for Red Blood Cell Serology (PDF) |
| Fetal Bleed Screening Test (FMH Rapid Screen) | Perinatal Testing for Red Blood Cell Serology (PDF) Request for Serological Investigation (PDF) |
Kleihauer-Betke - Quantitative Test for Fetal Bleed | Perinatal Testing for Red Blood Cell Serology (PDF) Request for Serological Investigation (PDF) |
Fetal Genotyping from Maternal Plasma Requisitions Testing is only available for Canadian residents. Please contact International Blood Group Reference Laboratory for testing inquires. https://ibgrl.blood.co.uk/services/molecular-diagnostics/fetal-genotyping-diagnostic/ |
International Blood Group Reference Laboratory Requisition DS (PDF) (Use the link to download the Fetal Genotyping from Maternal Blood form FRM4674) Perinatal Testing for Red Blood Cell Serology (PDF) Guidance for Completion of International Blood Group Laboratory Requisition |
| Fetal Genotyping from Maternal Plasma Consent | Consent for Release of Neonatal Test Results (PDF) |
Fetal Genotyping from Maternal Plasma Instructions | Fetal Genotyping on Maternal Plasma Collection Site Instructions AB (PDF) Fetal Genotyping on Maternal Plasma Maternal Fetal Medicine Instructions (PDF) |
| Fetal Genotyping from Amniotic Fluid Requisitions | Blood Center of Wisconsin Molecular Diagnostics Lab (PDF) |
| Fetal Genotyping from Amniotic Fluid Instructions | Fetal Genotyping on Amniotic Fluid Testing Criteria and Collection Instructions (PDF) |
Critical Values
Test interpretation — Perinatal critical values
Diagnostic Services will provide a verbal report to the requesting facility or physician in the following cases:
- Mother requires a postnatal RhIG injection.
- Positive DAT on cord sample requiring that the baby be monitored for signs of jaundice.
- Kleihauer Betke results requiring that greater than 15mL dose of RhIG be administered.
- Anti-K is detected in maternal sample (when first time detected in the pregnancy and/or with a new pregnancy).
- Clinically significant antibody with a titre ≥ 16 in maternal sample (when first time detected in the pregnancy and/or with a new pregnancy).
- Significant increase in antibody titre detected during a pregnancy.
- New clinically significant antibody detected in the third trimester of the pregnancy.
Requesting Test Results
Perinatal test results are available in Netcare for patients with an Alberta PHN or Unique Lifetime Identifier (ULI) number. Perinatal test results are also available by fax request.
Monday to Friday: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. MT
Weekends and statutory holidays: closed
Please use clinic/health care provider/hospital letterhead when requesting results and provide the following information:
• Patient first and last name
• PHN (Personal Health Number) or ULI
• Date of birth
• Requesting physician
• Facility/clinic fax number
Fax completed clinic/health care provider letterhead to Edmonton Diagnostic Services at: 780-431-8747