Perinatal Testing Services - Winnipeg, MB

Canadian Blood Services, Winnipeg, MB Diagnostic Services Laboratory provides pregnancy screening for blood type and red blood cell antibodies. 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.

In addition, the Laboratory also provides serological investigation reference services to facilities that perform post natal testing.

Testing is provided by Winnipeg, MB Diagnostic Services for: Manitoba, north west Ontario, and facilities in Saskatchewan.

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Contact Information

Canadian Blood Services
Winnipeg Centre
Diagnostic Services
777 William Ave.
Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R4

MB Diagnostic Services Contact Information (PDF)

Hours of Operation

Perinatal Laboratory
Tel: 204-789-1088
F: 204-789-1006

Monday – Friday: 7:30 a.m.– 5 p.m. CT
Saturday/Sunday: 8 a.m.– 4 p.m. CT
Statutory Holidays: 8 a.m.– 4 p.m. CT

Recommended Perinatal Test Guidelines

Canadian Blood Services (CBS) provides screening of pregnant women for blood type and red blood cell antibodies under a program funded by Manitoba 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.

Additional samples may be submitted for patients at increased risk of allo-immunization (previous transfusion, fetal trauma or procedure, IV drug use, etc.).

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
Rh negative – antibody screen negative ABO and Rh(D) typing Red Cell Antibody Screen	Initial visit and at 26-28 weeks gestation (sample to be collected prior to RhIG injection) Post Partum
Clinically significant antibodies detected ABO and Rh(D) typing Red Cell Antibody identification/exclusions Titration	Maternal specimens are requested monthly for antibody titration and exclusion of other clinically significant antibodies.
Mothers who have clinically significant antibodies with critical titres ABO and Rh(D) typing Red Cell Antibody identification / exclusions	A clinically significant antibody will no longer be titered monthly once it has reached a critical value of ‘16’. If the clinically significant antibody identified is anti-K, titration is not required. Detection of anti-K is a critical result regardless of titre. Maternal specimens will be requested monthly for exclusion of other clinically significant antibodies.
Father ABO and Rh(D) typing Red Cell Phenotyping	When the mother has a clinically significant antibody the father’s sample is requested for phenotyping to predict the risk of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN).
Cord / Neonate ABO and Rh(D) typing Red Cell Phenotyping DAT if required	When the mother is Rh negative or has a clinically significant antibody.

Available Perinatal Tests

Perinatal Requisitions and Forms

	REQUISITIONS AND FORMS
Maternal Routine Testing (ABO/Rh Typing/Antibody Screen)	Request for Perinatal Testing (PDF) (Electronic Fillable Form)
Father's Rh Typing (when maternal Rh is negative) - when requested by Canadian Blood Services	Request for Perinatal Testing (PDF) (Electronic Fillable Form)
Cord/Neonate Testing (ABO/Rh/DAT - HDFN Investigation)	Request for Cord Neonate Blood Testing Requisition (PDF)
Post Natal Testing - Rh Negative Mothers	Request for Perinatal Testing (PDF) (Electronic Fillable Form)
Fetal Bleed Screening Test (FMH Rapid Screen)	Request for Perinatal Testing (PDF) (Electronic Fillable Form)
Kleihauer-Betke - Quantitative Test for Fetal Bleed	Request for Perinatal Testing (PDF) (Electronic Fillable Form)
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 (PDF) (Use the link to download the Fetal Genotyping from Maternal Blood form FRM4674) Request for Perinatal Testing (PDF) (Electronic Fillable Form) Guidance for Completion of International Blood Group Laboratory Requisition Fetal Genotyping on Maternal Plasma Updates (PDF)
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 (PDF) Fetal Genotyping on Maternal Plasma Maternal Fetal Medicine 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.

Rh positive mother where the Kleihauer Betke result indicates that a > 30 mL bleed has occurred due to trauma or at full term.
Positive DAT on cord blood or neonate sample.
Kleihauer-Betke result indicates that >1500 IU of RhIG is required..
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).
Positive Kleihauer-Betke result on a mother with an increased AFP.

Requesting Test Results

Perinatal patient test results are available by faxed request.

Monday to Friday: 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m. CT
Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. CT

Statutory holidays: 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. CT

Please use clinic/health care provider/hospital letterhead when requesting results and provide the following information:

Patient first and last name
PHIN (Personal Health Number)
Date of birth
Requesting physician
Facility/clinic fax number

Fax completed clinic/health care provider letterhead to Winnipeg Diagnostic Services at: 204-789-1006