FNAIT Initial Workup

Test Description

Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is a rare condition where the mother's immune system identifies the baby's platelets as foreign and elicits an immune response leading to the destruction of the baby's platelets. It results from maternal alloimmunization to fetal human platelet antigens (HPA) inherited from the father.

Test Type

Specialized Testing

Additional Test Name(s)

Fetal/Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia investigation

Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia workup

NAIT

Sample Notes

Whole blood in EDTA (lavender or pink) tubes and plain red top tube

• (do not use a gel separator tube)
  

Separate serum from red cells into a transfer tube labeled with the patient's name, date of birth or identification number, collection date, specimen type.

Requested Volume

Maternal - 20 mL of whole blood AND 6 mL serum.

Paternal - 20 mL of whole blood

Shipping Information

All samples

• Must contact lab prior to shipping.
  

Serum:

• Ship serum frozen on dry ice.
• Serum shipped on wet ice is acceptable if arriving within 48 hours of collection.

Whole blood:

• Ship at room temperature.
• Samples must be received in the testing lab within 48 hours of collection.

Restrictions:

• Whole blood samples received more than 48 hours after collection will be rejected.

Method

Platelet surface immunofluorescence (PSIFT), Solid phase red cell adherence assay (SPRCA), Bead-based immunoassay, HPA genotyping, ABO/Rh serologic typing, and other methodologies guided by test reactivity.

Turnaround Time

7-10 days

Accepts NY State Samples

Philadelphia