Apt test

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).

The Apt test is a medical test which can be used in the work-up of gastro-intestinal bleed in infants. The test allows the clinician to determine whether the blood originates from the infant or from the mother. The principal of the test is as follows. Maternal blood contains adult hemoglobin composed of two alpha and two beta subunits. Fetal blood contains fetal hemoglobin composed of two alpha and two gamma subunits. This difference in composition gives the different types of hemoglobin different chemical properties. Fetal hemoglobin is resistant to alkali (basic) denaturation, whereas adult hemoglobin is susceptible to such denaturation. Therefore, exposing the blood specimen to NaOH will denature the adult but not the fetal hemoglobin. The fetal hemoglobin will appear as a pinkish color under the microscope while the adult hemoglobin will appear as a yellow-brownish color. This test can help the clinician determine whether the blood is of fetal origin or rather, is swallowed maternal blood. The Kleihauer-Betke test relies on similar principles.

[edit] External links

  • FPnotebook OB76
  • McRury JM, Barry RC. "A modified Apt test: a new look at an old test." Pediatr Emerg Care. 1994 Jun;10(3):189-91. Erratum in: Pediatr Emerg Care 1994 Aug;10(4):248. PMID 7520161


 This medical treatment article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../a/p/t/Apt_test.html"