A validated method for the determination of hematocrit in dried blood spots using image analysis.

To develop a nondestructive method for the estimation of hematocrit (HCT) in dried blood spots (DBSs). Standards and controls were created (HCT range: 0.20-0.

Parents' perspectives on dried blood spot self-sampling from children with epilepsy: A mixed-method study.

Aim: Children with epilepsy often have concomitant diagnoses. Dried blood spot samples for drug monitoring can be collected by parents at home as an alternative to traditional sampling. This mixed-method study aimed to understand the parents' perspectives on blood self-sampling from their children and to identify factors contributing to successful sampling.

Dried Blood Spot Self-Sampling by Guardians of Children With Epilepsy Is Feasible: Comparison With Plasma for Multiple Antiepileptic Drugs.

Background: Dried blood spot (DBS) is an attractive matrix alternative to plasma for the measurement of antiepileptic drug concentrations with the possibility of self-sampling at home. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether DBS concentrations from a children population could be used as an alternative to plasma concentrations in a clinical routine laboratory.

Methods: Children with epilepsy using carbamazepine (CBZ), lamotrigine (LTG), levetiracetam (LEV), or valproic acid (VPA) had capillary blood collected for routine plasma analysis.

Carbamazepine, lamotrigine, levetiracetam and valproic acid in dried blood spots with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry; method development and validation.

Monitoring of antiepileptic drugs in children with epilepsy require multiple visits at a clinic for blood collection. Dried blood spot sampling is an alternative way of collection, performed at home by self-collection and can save time and costs for patients and family members. The aim was to develop and validate an LC-MS/MS dried blood spot method for carbamazepine, lamotrigine, levetiracetam and valproic acid with the requirements of using standard equipment and material in a routine laboratory setting.

Comparison between dried blood spot and plasma sampling for therapeutic drug monitoring of antiepileptic drugs in children with epilepsy: A step towards home sampling.

Objectives: To investigate if dried blood spots could be used for therapeutic drug monitoring of the antiepileptic drugs, carbamazepine, lamotrigine and valproic acid in children with epilepsy.

Methods: Fingerprick blood samples from 46 children at a neuropediatric outpatient clinic was collected on filterpaper at the same time as capillary plasma sampling. A validated dried blood spot liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for carbamazepine, lamotrigine and valproic acid was compared with the routine plasma laboratory methods.

A LC-MS/MS method for therapeutic drug monitoring of carbamazepine, lamotrigine and valproic acid in DBS.

Background: Therapeutic drug monitoring of antiepileptic drugs in children with epilepsy assists for personalized drug therapy but require numerous patient visits for venous blood sampling. DBS is an alternative matrix applicable to home sampling which can save time and reduce stress for this patient group.

Results: A fast LC-MS/MS method for quantification of carbamazepine, lamotrigine and valproic acid based on DBS sampling was developed.