Comparison between the HemoCue® and an automated counter for measuring hemoglobin

To determine the precision and agreement of the hemoglobin (Hb) measurements in capillary and venous blood samples by the HemoCue(R) and an automated counter. Hb was determined by both equipaments in blood samples of 29 pregnant women. The HemoCue(R) showed low repeatability of Hb measurements in duplicate in capillary (CR=0.53 g/dL, CV=13.6%) and venous blood (CR=0.53 g/dL, CV=13.6%). Hb measurements in capillary blood were higher than those in venous blood (12.4 and 11.7 g/dL, respectively; p<0.05). There was high agreement between Hb in capillary blood by the HemoCue(R) and in venous blood by the counter (r(icc)=0.86; p<0.01), and also between the diagnosis of anemia by both equipments (k=0.81; p<0.01). The HemoCue(R) seems to be more appropriate for capillary blood and require training of the measurers.