[Attempt to adapt measurement of serum iron levels to the Centrifichem with a direct method using bathophenanthroline sulfonate-guanidine. Value and limits].

The authors have studied a direct automated colorimetric determination of iron serum on Centrifichem. Accuracy and linearity are the same than these obtained by the SFBC recommended method. Precision is poor: the coefficient of variation is about 15% for low values. No alteration in the absorbance is recognized by bilirubin, even in the serum which contains 342 mumol.l-1 of bilirubin. The value of serum iron increases significantly as hemoglobin and copper are added to the serum.