Stability of Folate and Hemoglobin in Dried Blood Spot Samples
2012-04-18
Loading...
View/Download File
Persistent link to this item
Statistics
View StatisticsJournal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Title
Stability of Folate and Hemoglobin in Dried Blood Spot Samples
Authors
Published Date
2012-04-18
Publisher
Type
Presentation
Abstract
Dried blood spot samples provide a simple and relatively inexpensive way to collect and store blood by using specially designed filter paper, and are routinely created for infants born in the United States. Extra dried blood spot samples are often stored by state departments of health for several years, and offer a potential resource for epidemiological research. This study measured two analytes of interest, folate and hemoglobin, in dried blood spot samples from healthy Minnesota newborn subjects that were stored for 9 months at four different conditions: -80 degrees C, 4 degrees C, 25 degrees C, and a humid condition. We found that folate levels decreased significantly with warmer storage temperatures and humidity, while hemoglobin levels decreased with increased storage temperature but not humidity.
The hemoglobin-folate value, used to standardize the amount of blood in the sample for measuring folate, did not decrease the standard error for our samples. Thus, for studies measuring folate using a constant size of saturated dried blood spot filter paper, measuring hemoglobin may not offer an advantage. Despite the decrease in measured values, rank order of hemoglobin, folate, and hemoglobinfolate measurements was generally preserved between storage conditions, as analyzed by general estimating equations. This indicates that dried blood spots stored under unfavorable conditions retain the ability to distinguish between differing levels of folate and hemoglobin and so may still be useful for epidemiological studies.
Description
Faculty adviser: Dr. Julie Ross and Dr. Logan Spector
Related to
Replaces
License
Series/Report Number
Funding information
This research was supported by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).
Isbn identifier
Doi identifier
Previously Published Citation
Suggested citation
Zimmerman, Rheanne. (2012). Stability of Folate and Hemoglobin in Dried Blood Spot Samples. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/123435.
Content distributed via the University Digital Conservancy may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor. By using these files, users agree to the Terms of Use. Materials in the UDC may contain content that is disturbing and/or harmful. For more information, please see our statement on harmful content in digital repositories.