Automation vs. ELISA
Automation vs. ELISA
Background
The technological developments and scientific innovations in the field of clinical chemistry from the early 1950’s to date have been vast, enhancing laboratory capabilities and providing the necessary support to clinicians and laboratories to improve patient diagnosis and treatment. (1) Laboratory automation today is a complex integration of robotics, computers, liquid handling and numerous other technologies with a fundamental purpose of saving time and improving performance through the elimination of human error.
Complementing this, in the early 1950’s ready-to-use assay reagent kits, with instructions for use introduced a very significant innovation to the field of automation eliminating the process of manually preparing reagent. (2)
Despite the many advancements in automation many clinical laboratories continue to use manual methods such as ELISA for some specialised tests. (3)
Inefficiencies with ELISA based methods
Manual ELISA based techniques are notoriously inefficient and are particularly draining on time and personnel due to the manual intervention required. The manual nature of the method also means there is greater potential for human error ultimately resulting in lack of sensitivity and potential for cross-reactivity. (4,5)
For many laboratories, the transition from traditional ELISA techniques to an automated method for the detection of the same analyte will significantly improve both costs and time.
Renowned for quality and reliability the RX series range of clinical chemistry analysers ensures confidence in patient testing.
Expanding Capabilities and Performance
With patient care holding a primary focus on clinical chemistry testing, the RX series range of semi-automated and automated analysers offer versatility to suit all laboratory requirements. Expanding your laboratory’s capabilities with our world leading extensive dedicated test menu offers cost savings through consolidation of both routine and specialised tests. By transitioning analytes historically only available as an ELISA based test, laboratories can expand their offering with ease to both patients and clinicians.
Our open system approach to clinical testing offers unique opportunities for consolidation, most of our unique and high-performance assays may be run on any clinical chemistry instrument without the need for specialised equipment.
Outperforming ELISA methodology, the RX series delivers a testing platform that requires limited or no manual preparation. With ELISA, the test is run on a 96 well plate using only a single assay with recommendations to duplicate or triplicate samples to evacuate the extent of errors, therefore increasing time and costs. The RX series of analysers each have different levels of throughput to adapt to the requirements of all laboratories. Utilising robust hardware and intuitive software the RX series guarantees accurate and precise patient testing.
References:
- Olsen K. The first 110 years of laboratory automation: technologies, applications, and the creative scientist. J Lab Autom. 2012; 17:469-80.
- Rosenfeld L. A golden age of clinical chemistry: 1948-1960. Clin Chem. 2000; 46:1705.14.
- Kricja LJ, Savory J. International year of chemistry 2011. A guide to the history of clinical chemistry. Clin Chem. 2011; 57:1118-26.
- Wild D, Sheehan C, Binder S. Introduction to immunoassay product technology in clinical diagnostic testing. In: Wild D, editor. Immunoassay Handbook: Theory and Applications of Ligand Binding, ELISA and Related Techniques. 4th Oxford, UK: Elsevier; 2013.
- Hawker CDED. Laboratory automation: total and subtotal. Clin Lab Med. 2007; 27:749-70.
We Are Randox | Randox Ladies reach FinTrU Ulster GAA Inter-Firms Semi-Final
On Saturday 10th November 2018, Randox Ladies GAA team took to the field at the Tyrone GAA Centre of Excellence, Garvaghey, to compete in the FinTrU Ulster GAA Football Inter-Firms competition.
Catering for all levels of skills and fitness, the Inter-Firms competition is a tournament open specifically to workplaces across Ulster, in which teams can represent their workplace in Gaelic games.
On the day of the tournament, the Randox Ladies were placed in a group alongside Premier Electric, Options IT and FinTrU, and the first 7-a-side group match saw the ladies up against Premier Electric, who from the start proved to be very tough and experienced opponents.
Team Randox met the challenge head on however, and were leading the game from start to finish until a second goal against the run of play narrowly denied the Randox Ladies the win in the last minute of the game.
For their second match of the tournament, the Randox Ladies showed great character and hunger to bounce back and defeat Options IT 2-6 to no score, in what was an outstanding performance. This victory was not without cost though, as the ladies were forced to battle on in spite of a few injuries.
The final group game against financial services company FinTrU proved to be the toughest match for the Randox Ladies. Having played two games back to back, with numerous injuries gained along the way, the game was always going to be a difficult one, but once again the ladies showed a fantastic attitude, battling hard in all areas.
With their exceptional performance in the group stage, the Randox Ladies found themselves in the semi-final of the cup competition against last year’s winners South West College. From the first whistle, the ladies put everything on the line, running themselves into the ground despite injury and fatigue.
SWC picked up a few early points and then scored two goals against the run of play which would have finished off any experienced team, but with minutes remaining Randox admirably battled up the field to score two goals of their own to bring the game to within a score. In the end though the SWC ladies survived to hang on for a narrow win and went head-to-head in the final against eventual tournament winners FinTrU.
Randox Ladies emerged from their GAA début in an impressive third place.
John James Fallon, Randox Electrical Engineer and Bainisteoir / Coach for Randox Ladies GAA Team, commented;
“What the Randox Ladies have done in such a short time is a fantastic achievement. Most have never played Gaelic football before so for them to go out and to be able to keep up with the pace of very experienced players is nothing short of amazing. They should be extremely proud of themselves and with the men’s competition this Saturday the bar has been set extremely high indeed. Well done team!”
The 2018 FinTrU Ulster GAA Football Inter-Firms Junior Men’s Competition will take place on Saturday 17th November at the Tyrone GAA Centre of Excellence. We wish our Men’s team all the best!
For further information about Randox GAA, please email johnjames.fallon@randox.com
Left to Right: Christine Maybin, Ciara Shaw, Ashleigh McKinstry, Maria McLaughlin, Rachel Walls, Rebecca Molloy, Maeve McAllister, Rachel McCloy, Amy Best
(Team members missing from photo; Claire Donnelly and Jeanette Doherty)
Randox Cerebral Arrays on the Evidence Series Immunoanalysers
The Evidence is the world’s first protein Biochip Array Technology Analyser (BAT). The awarding winning Biochip Array Technology is a multi-analyte testing platform allowing the simultaneous quantitative or qualitative detection of a wide range of analytes from a single sample.
The Evidence is a fully automated immunoanalyser which is renowned for higher standards of quality, efficiency and reliability. It is tailored and more suitable in a wide range of settings including hospital laboratories, clinical laboratories, private and public research applications, veterinary laboratories, forensic and clinical toxicology and pharmaceutical applications.
There are many key features for The Evidence, including the ability to carry out multiplex testing which will allow multiple tests to be carried out from a single patient sample as a result. It reduces the amount of labour spent on the individual tests and therefore saves money and time. The analyser is more suitable for larger laboratories with a throughput of >1500 tests per hour with a fully automated system maximising the walk away time – allowing staff to devote their time to other important tasks.
The multi-analyte barcoded controls and calibrators ensure security, accuracy and reliable laboratory testing. They also allow for full traceability making the overall experience easier. It offers a wide-ranging and diverse test menu which offer more tests than other sole suppliers and this will benefit many research areas including immunology, metabolic, cardiovascular and oncology.
Neurological conditions can affect young and old people and result from damage to the brain, spine or nerves which is triggered by an illness or an injury1. Up to 1 billion people (one in six of the world’s population suffer from neurological disorders from Alzheimer and Parkinson disease, strokes, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy 2. In England the number of deaths from neurological disorders have rose by 39% over the past 13 years3.
Randox offers two Cerebral Arrays which have been designed for the simultaneous measurement of analytes associated with nervous system dysfunctions such as Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. The Arrays can measure up to five biomarkers simultaneously. They are suitable for human serum, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. Additionally, it offers excellent sensitivity, precision and recovery as well as analytical performance.
For more information on our Evidence Series or Cerebral range of Assays, contact us at EvidenceSeries@randox.com
- http://www.neural.org.uk/living-with-a-neurological-condition/what-is-a-neurological-condition
- https://news.un.org/en/story/2007/02/210312-nearly-1-6-worlds-population-suffer-neurological-disorders-un-report
- https://www.bmj.com/content/360/bmj.k1278
Ireland-U.S. Council honour Randox founder with Business Relations Award
The Ireland-U.S. Council in America have this week presented the founder of healthcare diagnostics company Randox Laboratories with an award marking significant achievement in building relations between Northern Ireland and the United States of America.
Presented to Dr Peter FitzGerald at the 56th Annual Dinner of the Ireland-U.S. Council yesterday evening, the accolade, named the Cúchulainn award, recognizes the efforts of individuals who go above and beyond to support the objectives of the Ireland-U.S. Council – to improve the business bonds and commercial connections between Ireland, Northern Ireland and the United States.
Joining an exclusive line-up of some of the most prominent business figures in both Ireland and the United States recognized by the Ireland-U.S. Council, including CEO of International Airlines Group William Walsh, Dr FitzGerald was presented with the prestigious award at The Metropolitan Club in New York City.
Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Founder and Managing Director of Randox Laboratories, commented;
“I am most honoured to be here this evening to accept the Cúchulainn award from the Ireland-U.S. Council in recognition of the work undertaken by Randox in the United States since the early 1980s when we began to export our diagnostic healthcare products. The United States remains one of Randox’s most important markets, in which we are growing at pace thanks to the ongoing development of innovative new products in not only the healthcare sector, but also the veterinary, research, toxicology and food safety industries.”
The Ireland-U.S. Council was founded in 1962 by a group of American and Irish business leaders as a measure to build an established structure which would encourage closer economic relations, and was initially created to assist in making preparations for the first-ever State Visit of a sitting U.S. President to Ireland by President John F. Kennedy from June 26 – 29 in 1963.
David O’Sullivan, Executive Director of the Ireland–U.S. Council, added;
“Ever since the State Visit to Ireland by President John F. Kennedy, the Ireland-U.S. Council has been engaged in efforts to achieve our transatlantic mission. Dr FitzGerald of Randox Laboratories truly embodies the essence of this mission by aligning his business in Ireland closely with businesses in the US, to maximise the positive outcomes for both parties. We are delighted to present him this evening with the Cúchulainn award – for the significant contributions he has made to the development of closer economic, business and commercial ties between our two nations.”
For further information please email randoxpr@randox.com
Randox creates 25 new positions in specialist IT roles in Antrim
Healthcare diagnostics company Randox has today announced 25 new specialist IT roles ranging from Software Development and Information Security to Web Design and IT Support.
The roles, which will span a variety of career pathways, including placements, graduates, apprenticeships and permanent positions, will be based at the firm’s new headquarters, the Randox Science Park in Antrim, which will host an IT Open Evening on Tuesday 20th November.
Those in attendance at the Open Evening will be invited to enjoy a tour of the Randox Science Park, which, following purchase by Randox in 2015, is being developed into a manufacturing and research facility in an investment totalling £161m. The ongoing renovation plans, when complete, will have created a total of 540 high value job opportunities at the site, with an average salary of £30k per year that will generate £16.2 million in annual salaries.
Stephen Fawl, Randox IT Manager, commented;
“Working at the cutting edge of technology and innovation, the Randox IT department design and develop a range of web-based applications and software, support the tech infrastructure of more than 1400 employees worldwide, and implement the very latest in security protocols. It’s no surprise therefore that we’re seeking the very best talent to join our team – offering competitive salaries, career progression, personal development and the opportunity to work in an incredibly forward-thinking company. We invite anybody who is interested in a dynamic career in IT to visit us from 6-8pm on the 20th November for our Open Evening at the Randox Science Park.”
Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director of Randox Laboratories, added;
“As a global leader in healthcare diagnostics, we must continue innovating, through our people, through our world-class R&D, and through our infrastructure. With technology heavily influencing so much of what we do, the Randox IT department remain at the forefront of our capability and have a critical role to play in the delivery of cutting-edge innovation. The newly-refurbished IT facilities at the Randox Science Park in Antrim give the team there the platform to engage across a broad range of projects, to make a real and important impact upon global healthcare.”
Randox, renowned for the placement and employment opportunities it provides students and graduates at both Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, has recently launched an ‘Earn As Your Learn’ Higher Level Apprenticeship in Computing, with Northern Regional College.
Through the ‘Career Encode’ programme, Randox is offering three-year apprenticeship vacancies in the IT department, in addition to a range of senior roles for the more experienced IT professional. The apprenticeship scheme is equivalent to a foundation degree and provides a clear progression route for apprentices to train to the highest level whilst gaining a professional qualification.
Councillor Paul Michael, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, commented;
“The creation of these specialist IT jobs for the Antrim community, as a direct result of Randox’s ongoing investment and expansion is further proof, if needed, of their commitment to the regional economy. To be able to offer both experienced and aspiring IT professionals, whether students, graduates or full-time IT specialists, the opportunity to work in such high-calibre roles so close to home is an incredibly unique opportunity and I look forward to welcoming new IT staff to the fantastic Randox Science Park facilities.”
Randox Laboratories currently employ 1400 employees globally, 800 of which are based in its Northern Ireland sites in Crumlin and Antrim.
Register your interest for the Randox IT Open Evening by collecting your free tickets here.
For further information about the Randox IT Open Evening, please contact Randox PR by emailing randoxpr@randox.com or phoning 028 9442 2413.
Randox IT Manager Stephen Fawl and Senior Recruitment Consultant Lyndsay Rodgerson are pictured with Councillor Paul Michael, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, at the launch of Randox’s 25 new specialist IT roles
The Randox Health Everyman: so much more than a health MOT
It’s a concept we’re all familiar with.
Every year we take our car to get serviced to make sure everything is in working order and to fix the things that aren’t quite right.
Even if it’s been driving smoothly, using fuel economically and experiencing no apparent issues, we get it checked out anyway, because it’s better to find the small problems before they become bigger ones. Prevention is better than cure, right?
So why should we treat our bodies any differently?
Nearly half of all faults found during car MOTs could be avoided by carrying out simple maintenance, and it’s the same when it comes to our bodies.
With 50% of cancers, 70% of cardiovascular disease and 80% of strokes being preventable, a comprehensive health MOT can provide an accurate picture of your health while you are still well and provide you with the information you need to take action to prevent future problems.
This Movember, we’re encouraging men to take a proactive approach to their health – to obtain a comprehensive understanding of their body and their health in the same way they do with their car each year.
Your body is the most important vehicle you will ever own and that’s why we provide a comprehensive menu of blood tests for 25 different aspects of your health simultaneously, whereas a standard car MOT will only test 8 different areas of your car’s health.
But that’s not surprising when you know how complex the human body is compared to a car! Or when you learn that Randox Health’s testing programme is the most comprehensive and personalised health MOT on the market.
Between three and five tests are traditionally offered in the GP setting, and even in standard healthcare companies’ ‘premium packages’, only 30-35 routine blood tests may be carried out.
Within the Randox Health Everyman Programme we offer a varied range of 150 health tests.
Much more than a standard health MOT, this full body testing makes Randox Health the world’s most advanced preventive and personalised health MOT.
By harnessing the cutting-edge Randox Health science and technology, developed over 35 years, you have the knowledge to prevent future illness, and the power to secure your health.
Contact the Randox Health team today to find out more:
Tel: 0800 2545 130
Email: info@randoxhealthni.com
Randox supports Health Secretary’s new 21st century focus on prevention
For over 36 years, Randox has been developing cutting-edge diagnostic technologies to improve the quality, accuracy and timeliness of laboratory results, because we firmly believe that access to accurate and timely diagnostics is key to improving healthcare.
As 70% of clinical decisions are based on laboratory output, our efforts are central to healthcare and improving patient outcomes. It will come as no surprise therefore that we support the announcement made by Health Secretary Matt Hancock this week about a new green paper, entitled “Prevention is better than cure,” that will argue for a shift towards preventative healthcare, to help people stay well.
On Monday Mr Hancock argued that the “numbers don’t stack up” when it comes to spending on prevention as opposed to treatment, with £97bn of public money in the UK spent on treating disease and only £8bn preventing it.
He added that “we need a new 21st century focus on prevention.”
Duncan Selbie, Chief Executive Public Health England, echoed Mr Hancock’s sentiments by saying; “We need to move from a system that detects and treats illnesses to one that also predicts and prevents poor health through promoting health in all policies and puts people back in charge of their own health.”
It’s a goal that we at Randox share with both Mr Hancock and Mr Selbie. With new and emerging diagnostic technologies, we can speed up diagnoses, improve patient outcomes, make every pound go further and give clinicians more time with their patients.
Much earlier and much more effective diagnosis can simultaneously improve healthcare outcomes and reduce the burden on healthcare services.
At Randox, we look forward to a time when sickness is actively prevented, rather than managed. By utilising innovative diagnostic products capable of diagnosing disease and ill-health at the earliest possible stage, we can truly transform the life of the patient.
For further information please email randoxpr@randox.com
November focus: Drugs of Abuse
Throughout November, the Randox clinical teams – Randox Reagents, Randox Rx series and Randox QC – will be highlighting how the Randox product range can be utilised to allow for the most accurate analysis of Drugs of Abuse, with a particular focus placed with the Evidence MultiSTAT. The Evidence MultiSTAT is a fast, fully automated and versatile immunoanalyser that enables on-site detection of up to 21 Drugs of Abuse from a single sample of oral fluid, urine or blood.
Drugs of Abuse are a growing problem worldwide and represent a significant burden to healthcare systems as well as creating problems in an individual’s lifestyle. It has been estimated by the WHO (World Health Organisation) that 31 million people globally suffer from drug use disorders and 3.3 million deaths each year are linked to the abuse of both drugs and alcohol.
Randox have reacted to this growing concern and are now a world leader in the Drugs of Abuse testing field. Our product range currently comprises classical, prescription and synthetic drugs.
The Evidence MultiSTAT offers a simple drug screening solution to those who have little or no knowledge of laboratory procedures. As an extremely versatile desktop analyser, it is ideally suited to a variety of settings including both the clinical laboratory and the emergency room.
Randox Reagents – Drugs of Abuse Assays
In order to assist in dealing with the ongoing burden of substance abuse, Randox Reagents offer a comprehensive range of ten assays to test for some of the top most commonly-abused substances including alcohol, methamphetamines, cocaine, methadone, cannabis, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, EDDP and ecstasy and opiates. The Randox Drugs of Abuse assays are liquid, ready-to-use for increased efficiency and applications are available for over 30 different analysers.
RX Series – Toxicology testing
Renowned for quality and reliability, the RX series range of clinical chemistry analysers boasts a world-leading test menu comprising of both therapeutic drugs and Drugs of Abuse. Our toxicology range comprises amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, cocaine metabolite, ecstasy, EDDP, ethanol, methadone and opiates. The RX series range of clinical chemistry analysers ensures a high degree of accuracy with a wide range of testing throughputs to suit all laboratories, big or small.
RIQAS Urine Toxicology Programme
Designed to monitor the performance of 20 Drugs of Abuse tests in urine, our RIQAS urine toxicology EQA program is suitable for both qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis. As the largest EQA scheme in the world, access to large peer groups is guaranteed. Additional benefits include; monthly analysis, user-friendly reports allowing at-a-glance performance assessment, ability to register up to five instruments per programme and cost savings via our unrivalled consolidation.
For more information about Randox RX, Randox Reagents or Randox QC, please email marketing@randox.com.
Randox Health partners with Tim Cogley Cardiac Screening Foundation to offer free health checks in Wirral
Randox Health is today delighted to announce that it is partnering with the Tim Cogley Cardiac Screening Foundation to offer free health checks for young adults across Wirral.
On 9th April 2017 Tim Cogley, an apparently fit and healthy 34-year-old, suffered a fatal heart attack whilst walking home after a night out with friends. Despite showing no symptoms, Tim had a 75% cholesterol blockage of the left descending coronary artery. Since then his family have set up the Tim Cogley Foundation to help raise awareness of coronary heart screening in 18 to 39-year-olds.
Throughout November, the charity, in association with Randox Health, will offer free health checks, including heart screening, to men and women between the ages of 18 and 39 in Wirral.
Appointments will last around 15 minutes and will involve blood pressure testing, body composition analysis and blood sampling to test for glucose concentration (relating to diabetes risk), lipid profile results (including important Total Cholesterol: HDL Cholesterol ratios), and additional key biomarkers relevant to CVD risk, including kidney function tests.
Participants aged 25 or over will also be provided with a unique Cardiovascular Risk Score, which details your risk of experiencing a cardiac event over the next 10 years.
Frank Cogley, Tim’s father, said of the cardiac screening:
“There are many types of heart disease. The national media sadly, but regularly, report instances of young people suddenly dying, as in the case of our youngest son Tim, from undiagnosed heart disease. The current lack of routine screening of 18-39 year olds leaves a gaping chasm in our healthcare provision but with our highly motivated partner, Randox Health, we hope to redress this through lifestyle changes and preventative health programmes.
“The Tim Cogley Cardiac Screening Foundation is committed to delivering positive, action-focused and life-changing programmes. The essence of the charity, and its whole approach of reaching out to help others, reflects Tim’s character and, in that sense, keeps alive his driving force. I can’t imagine a legacy more in tune with the generous, kind and supportive person that was Tim.”
Dates for the screening are as follows:
- Thursday, November 1 – 4pm to 8pm – Tesco, Telegraph Road, Heswall
- Saturday, November 3 – 10am to 4pm – Tesco, Telegraph Road, Heswall
- Tuesday, November 6 – 10am to 2pm – Warrens Medical Centre, Arrowe Park Road
- Thursday, November 8 – 4pm to 8pm – UTS Foundation, Newhall Lane, Hoylake
- Monday, November 12 – 10am to 2pm – Wirral Met 12 Quays Campus, Shore Road, Birkenhead
- Wednesday, November 14 – 4pm to 8pm – Caldy Sports Club, Telegraph Road, Thurstaston
- Saturday, November 17 – 10am to 2pm – Eastham Drop In Centre, 31 Eastham Rake
- Tuesday, November 20 – 10am to 2pm – Warrens Medical Centre, Arrowe Park Road
- Thursday, November 22 – 4pm to 8pm – UTS Foundation, Newhall Lane, Hoylake
- Monday, November 26 – 10am to 2pm – Greasby Medical Centre, Greasby Road
- Wednesday, November 28 – 4pm to 8pm – Drop In Centre, Victoria General Hospital, Marymount Close, Wallasey
- Saturday, December 1 – 10am to 2pm – Wirral Met Oval Campus, Old Chester Road, Bebington
Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director of Randox Health, commented:
“It is an honour to be partnering with Frank and the team at The Tim Cogley Cardiac Screening Foundation to offer young people across Wirral and Merseyside the chance to avail of the advanced health screening we provide at Randox Health. We know all too well the benefit of prevention over cure, and you need look no further than Frank Cogley who is working tirelessly to turn his son’s tragic death into a force for good to see how important this is. It is so encouraging therefore to see how popular this initiative has proven thus far, and we are now adding further screening slots to our clinic in Exchange Station to accommodate the high demand.”
Further screening will take place at the Randox Health Liverpool Clinic, Tithebarn Street, Liverpool L2 2QP, so if you would like to participate please visit www.timcogleyfoundation.com/cardiac-screening to read the pre-screening information, and then call Randox Health on 0151 665 0700 to book your appointment.
During the month of November Randox Health Liverpool will also be offering free Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood tests in celebration of Movember, Men’s Health Month. Offering a pre-cursor to a physical examination, the Randox Health prostate health check can stratify patients who may need referred on for further testing.
For further information about Randox Health’s partnership with The Tim Cogley Cardiac Screening Foundation or about our complimentary Prostate Health Checks please contact Randox PR by emailing randoxpr@randox.com or phoning 028 9442 2413.
Iron Deficiency Anaemia during Pregnancy
On a global scale, 1.62 billion people are affected by anaemia which is equivalent to 24.8% of the population ₁. According to a review carried out by WHO of various national surveys, anaemia affects approximately 42% of pregnant women worldwide and it is also estimated that at least 50% of all anaemia cases are due to iron deficiency.
Anaemia caused by iron deficiency is usually expected during pregnancy. This is due to several reasons: the increased demand for iron by a pregnant woman’s body from increased total blood cell volume, requirements of the foetus and placenta as well as mass blood loss during labour₂. Although iron cost is unbalanced by the lack of loss of menstrual blood during pregnancy, the net cost is still high enough that iron recommendations are higher than in non-pregnant women. Also, iron is critical during pregnancy considering its involvement in foetal growth: 600-800mg of iron is required during pregnancy with around 300mg needed just for the foetus, a minimum of 25mg for the placenta and almost 500mg due to the increase in volume of red blood cells. ₃
Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency in pregnant women leading to iron deficiency anaemia if left untreated. However, iron deficiency can be difficult to measure in some populations due to the lack of availability of field-specific biomarkers. For example, anaemia can affect up to 56% of pregnant women in developing countries, which suggests a high prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia: around 25%. In settings with endemic malaria, such as certain countries in Africa, the number of pregnant women with anaemia is much higher: around 65%.
There are various factors that may increase the risks of iron deficiency anaemia. For example, a diet influenced by religious beliefs can cause a lack of iron in the diet, such as vegetarianism which is common in countries such as India where religious beliefs dictate this. Iron levels can also be affected by consumption of nutrients which inhibit proper absorption of iron, such as calcium or ones that promote iron absorption, such as vitamin C. Other circumstantial risks include infections, multiple pregnancies and adolescent pregnancy while socioeconomic factors and access to healthcare mean some women won’t have access to anaemia control programs, iron supplements or even access to information about iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy.
To prevent iron deficiency, international guidelines state that iron supplementation to manage iron deficiency is recommended during pregnancy. ₄ However, this is not always available, especially in developing countries.
Iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy can cause several complications for the mother including:
- Increased fatigue
- Short-term memory loss
- Decreased attention span
- Increased pressure on the cardiovascular system due to insufficient haemoglobin and blood oxygen levels
- Lower resistance to infections
- Reduced tolerance to significant blood loss and surgical implications during labour.
As expected, neonates with mothers who suffered from iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy will also be confronted with risks and, even if iron deficiency is only mild to moderate, can result in a premature birth, complications with foetal brain development, low birth weight and even foetal death. Additionally, it has been proven that cognitive and behavioural abnormalities can be seen in children for up to ten years after iron insufficiency in the womb.
Randox Soluble Transferrin Receptor (sTfR) Reagent
Randox Reagents offer a Soluble Transferrin Receptor assay to expand upon our current iron testing offering.
In iron deficiency anaemia, soluble transferrin receptor levels are significantly increased, however, remain normal in acute phase conditions including: chronic diseases and inflammation. As such, sTfR measurements are useful in the differential diagnosis of anaemia: anaemia of chronic disease or iron deficiency anaemia.
In iron deficiency anaemia, increased sTfR levels have also been observed in haemolytic anaemia, sickle cell anaemia and B12 deficiency.
The benefits of the Randox Soluble Transferrin Receptor (sTfR) Reagent include:
- Latex enhanced immunoturbidimetric method facilitating testing on biochemistry analysers and eliminating the need for dedicated equipment.
- Liquid ready-to-use reagents for convenience and ease-of-use
- Stable to expiry date when stored at +2 to +8 °C
- Excellent measuring range of 0.5 – 11.77mg/L, comfortably detecting levels outside of the normal health range of 0.65 – 1.88mg/L
- Excellent correlation coefficient of r=0.977 when compared against other commercially available methods
- Applications available detailing instrument-specific settings for a wide range of clinical chemistry analysers
Find out more at: https://www.randox.com/stfr/
References:
- de Benoist B et al., eds.Worldwide prevalence of anaemia 1993-2005. WHO Global Database on Anaemia Geneva, World Health Organization, 2008.
- Harvey et al, Assessment of Iron Deficiency and Anemia in Pregnant Women: An Observational French Study, Women’s Health, Vol 12 Issue 1, 2016
- Burke et al, Identification, Prevention and Treatment of Iron Deficiency during the First 1000 Days, Nutrients, Vol 6 Issue 10, 2014
- Guideline: Daily Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation in Pregnant Women. World Health Organization; Geneva, Switzerland: 2012
If you are a clinician or laboratory who are interested in running assays to test iron status, Randox offer a range of assays, including: Iron, Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC), Transferrin and Ferritin . These assays can be run on most automated biochemistry analysers.
Instrument Specific Applications (ISA’s) are available for a wide range of biochemistry analysers. Contact us to enquire about your specific analyser.
For more information, visit: https://www.randox.com/stfr / or email: reagents@randox.com