Investigations of an Automated System for Profiling of Serum Constituents in Neonatal Blood Samples

563 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1982.In the past few years pediatric clinical chemistry has received an increasing amount of attention. Pediatric patients, especially neonates, are presently treated quite differently from adults with respect to laboratory testing. Although desirable, profiling is not done on neonatal samples because of the very small samples available. It has been the objective of these studies to determine if a multichannel centrifugal analyzer (MCCA), a sample/reagent handling system, and chemical methods can be developed for profiling serum constituents of neonates.Characteristics of the system reflect the needs of the patients rather than purely analytical considerations. Some of the characteristics required for the analytical system include: about 20 microliters sample volume for the complete profile; flexibility in choosing profile tests; accuracy and precision comparable to that obtained on larger samples; rapid analysis and reporting of results; and sample identification integrity.Criteria for the sample/reagent handling system included: adaptability to the existing MCCA; acceptance of the sample from a capillary tube; provision for variable sample dilutions; and a minimum of wasted sample. Modifications made to the MCCA previously developed in our research group include: improved automated control of the MCCA; improved rotor control; improved data interface; addition of temperature control; adaptation of the sample/reagent handling system, addition of a fluorescence channel; design of new MCCA discs and disc holders; and changes in the software. Data are presented that characterize the performance of the MCCA and the sample/reagent handling system.A panel of tests to evaluate renal function was developed that includes tests for total protein, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, urea nitrogen, and creatinine. An enzymatic creatinine test has been developed that uses five microliters of serum rather than the usual 25 microliters. Adaptations of methods for the other analytes all require between one and four microliters of serum. Therefore a profile of at least six constituents can be obtained on the small samples available from neonates. Data are presented which illustrate the ability of the system to produce clinically useful analyses in both single channel and profile modes.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD