Comparison of Masimo Total Hemoglobin SpHb® continuous non-invasive hemoglobin monitoring device with laboratory complete blood count measurement using venous sample: Protocol for an observational substudy of the Pregnancy Risk and Infant Surveillance and Measurement Alliance Maternal and Newborn Health (PRISMA MNH) study

Background: The Masimo Total Hemoglobin SpHb® is a continuous and non-invasive handheld device to measure hemoglobin levels. Previous research has found that SpHb is able to accurately detect hemoglobin levels in adult patients with a similar degree of bias and standard deviation to point-of-care invasive method measurements. Generally, limited clinical evidence, lack of validation of Masimo at higher than and lower than hemoglobin threshold values, and scientific consensus supporting the use of Masimo for accurate hemoglobin testing for the diagnosis of anemia during pregnancy calls for further research. Methods and analysis: The proposed prospective cohort will be nested within the ongoing Pregnancy Risk and Infant Surveillance and Measurement Alliance (PRISMA) Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) study. Three study sites (located in Zambia, Kenya, and Pakistan) will participate and collect hemoglobin data at five time points (<20 weeks, 20 weeks, 28 weeks, 36 weeks’ gestation, and six weeks postpartum). We will measure hemoglobin using a venous blood sample via hematology auto-analyzer complete blood count (gold standard) and the non-invasive device. The primary objective is to assess agreement between Masimo total hemoglobin and complete blood count and on a continuous scale using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient and Bland-Altman Analysis. The second objective is to assess agreement between the two measures on a binary scale using Positive Percentage Agreement and Negative Percentage Agreement, Cohen’s Kappa, and McNemar Test. On an ordinal scale, agreement will be measured using Weighted Cohen’s Kappa and Harrel’s Concordance Index. Lastly, we will assess factors that might affect the accuracy of Masimo total hemoglobin using linear mixed models. Conclusions: The primary aim of this study is to assess the validity of the non-invasive Masimo device compared to the gold standard method of invasive hemoglobin measurements during pregnancy and postpartum periods for the diagnosis of anemia.