Variation in Reference Values of Haematological Parameters Between Regional and International Literature Amongst the Neonates

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess the variation in reference values of Haematological parameters i.e Haemoglobin (Hb), Total Leucocyte Count (TLC), Red Blood Cells (RBC) and Platelet Counts (PLT) in neonates of Rawalpindi and to compare with the Western literature. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: It was a descriptive study carried out at Haematology department of Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Rawalpindi. The duration of study was 6 months and non-probability sampling was adopted for consecutively selected 400 neonates. The sampling was done from MH, CMH, HFH and SBBH, Rawalpindi The blood samples were analyzed using Sysmex Kx-21 automated haematology analyzer for complete blood counts i.e Hb, TLC, RBC and PLT. RESULTS: The mean reference values of RBC is 4.931012/l (SD= 0.54), TLC is 16 109 / l (SD=5.35) and Platelet Counts is 258.499109/l (SD=70.5). These values were found to have higher values when compared to the Western literature. However, the reference value of Hb is 14g/dl (SD=2.5) was found to have lower values on comparison with the Western literature i.e 16.89 g/dl (SD=1.92). The mean reference value of RBC according to Western study is 4.21012/l (SD=1.2), TLC is 12 109 / l (SD=7) and Platelet Counts is 200109/l (SD=50). CONCLUSIONS: The reference values of haematological parameters in neonates are different from those implemented in our country (derived from the Western studies). It is concluded that various maternal environmental, nutritional, ethnic, socioeconomic and cultural factors do affect the values of haematological paremeter in neonate.