Clinical Chemistry
The Clinical Chemistry branch performs the following tests:
Blood Lead
Childhood lead poisoning is one of the most common pediatric health problems in the United States. As a result of industrialization, lead is common in the environment. It has no known physiologic value and children are particularly susceptible to its toxic effect. Most poisoned children have no apparent symptoms and many cases go undiagnosed and untreated. Ideally, children should be tested between 12 and 24 months of age, or upon their first entry to the health care system. Children identified as high risk should be rescreened in 12 months.
Hemoglobinopathies
Isoelectric focusing electrophoresis (IEF) is used to screen for sickle cell and other hemoglobinopathies. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is also performed on those specimens determined to be abnormal by IEF. These services are available to public and private providers. Please note that thalassemia is not detected by this screening procedure.
Blood Grouping & Rh Typing
Services for ABO blood grouping, Rh typing and antibody screening and identification are available only to women seen in the prenatal clinics at local health deparments. These services are not available to other patients of local health departments or other health care providers.
Antibody Screening & Identification
Services for ABO blood grouping, Rh typing and antibody screening and identification are available only to women seen in the prenatal clinics at local health deparments. These services are not available to other patients of local health departments or other health care providers.
To contact the Clinical Chemistry branch of the N.C. State Laboratory, call (919) 733-3937.
