Hemoglobin
F Assays
Test used to assay Hb F:
Betke-Kleihauer or Acid elution test
Principle of test:
The hemoglobin F in red blood cells
is resistant to elution in acid solutions while non-hemoglobin F is eluted out of the cells. The red
cells are placed in an acid solution then stain is added that will cause the hemoglobin remaining in the cells to
stain red in color. The percentage of total red cells containing red color is then determined using a
microscope.
Hb F
Hb A