Routine hemoglobin testing following an elective Cesarean section: is it necessary?

Objective: To determine the clinical relevance of routine hemoglobin testing following an elective Cesarean section. Methods: The charts of all women who underwent elective Cesarean section at a public teaching hospital during 2001 were reviewed for pre- and postoperative hemoglobin values, demograp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine 2003, Vol.14 (4), p.223-225
Main Authors: Horowitz, E., Yogev, Y., Ben-Haroush, A., Rabinerson, D., Feldberg, D., Kaplan, B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Blood Loss, Surgical - statistics & numerical data
CESAREAN SECTION
Diagnostic Tests, Routine - economics
Diagnostic Tests, Routine - statistics & numerical data
ELECTIVE
Female
HEMOGLOBIN
Hemoglobins
Hospitals, Teaching
Humans
Israel - epidemiology
Middle Aged
Postoperative Care
Pregnancy
ROUTINE
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Summary:Objective: To determine the clinical relevance of routine hemoglobin testing following an elective Cesarean section. Methods: The charts of all women who underwent elective Cesarean section at a public teaching hospital during 2001 were reviewed for pre- and postoperative hemoglobin values, demographic data, indication for surgery and need for blood transfusion. Results: The study group included 383 patients. Mean (± SD) hemoglobin level was 12.24 ± 1.09 g/dl prior to surgery and 10.87 ± 1.2 g/dl after, a mean loss of 1.37 ± 0.87 g/dl (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in blood loss by indication for surgery. None of the patients needed an intraoperative or postoperative blood transfusion. Conclusion: Routine postoperative hemoglobin measurement after an uncomplicated elective Cesarean section in asymptomatic low-risk women is not necessary and should be eliminated.
ISSN:1476-7058
1476-4954
DOI:10.1080/jmf.14.4.223.225