Neonatal Platelet Investigation – Maternal

Test description

Fetal / Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is a rare syndrome caused by maternal IgG antibody directed against a fetal platelet antigen inherited from the father. Approximately 1 in 1000 pregnancies is affected, with about half of the cases occurring in first pregnancies. Although HPA-1a is the dominant human platelet alloantigen (HPA) incompatibility causing FNAIT, a significant number of cases are caused by other HPA incompatibilities. Investigation includes HPA antibody testing and HPA genotyping. Platelet crossmatching is also performed between maternal sample and paternal platelets when available. 

Neonatal Platelet Investigation - Maternal (PDF)

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Specimen and requisition requirements

Specimen(s):
Three (3) full 5-7 ml EDTA (lavender) tubes mixed thoroughly by gentle agitation and one (1) 10mL SST serum tube inverted 5-10 times to activate clotting.

Label specimen(s) with the required minimum information: patient’s last name, first name, PHN/ (PHIN) or hospital number or other unique identifier, date of collection and facility name.

Complete Requisition (must include):

  • Patient's last name, first name, date of birth and PHN/(PHIN) or hospital number or other unique identifier
  • Facility Name
  • Physician/Health Care Provider name
  • Phlebotomist name, classification, initial
  • Date/time  of collection
  • Name, facility, address, contact number of individual to whom the report will be sent

Requisition

Platelet Immunology Requisition (PDF)
(Electronic Fillable Form)

Pre-shipping storage

If unable to ship within 24 hours of collection store refrigerated at 1-10oC. Refrigerated samples must arrive within 48 hours of collection.

If unable to ship within 48 hours of collection; separate and freeze serum sample only.
Do not open EDTA Samples

Shipping instructions

Contact the National Platelet Immunology Reference Laboratory (NPIRL) prior to shipping samples so that information may be obtained to assess the priority of the requested investigation.

Shipping
Ship in a container with an ice pack (gel pack stored at 2-8° C may be used for refrigerated samples).
Select shipping method for container to arrive at testing site within 24 hours.

Fax shipping information (way bill #) to 905-494-8149. Indicate the patient name and type of investigation on the fax.

Send to 

Canadian Blood Services
Brampton Centre
National Platelet Immunology Reference Laboratory
100 Parkshore Drive
Brampton, ON L6T 5M1
Tel: 905-494-5257
Fax: 905-494-8149