HAEMATOLOGICAL REFERENCE VALUES FOR FULL TERM NEONATES

Introduction: Several factors influence the health of individuals. These variables include demographic aspects such as place of residence or country, race, timing of the year, and the age of the individuals. Objectives: The main objective of the study is to analyse the haematological reference values for full term infants. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jinnah Hospital, Lahore during March 2018 to June 2019. All new borns at 1st day of life that underwent blood sampling. After delivery of the baby, umbilical cord was immediately clamped; 5 ml cord blood was taken from the umbilical vein and transferred into an EDTA containing tube. The sample was then transported as early as possible (maximum 3 to 6 hours) to the laboratory for analysis. Results: Full blood count parameters are summarized, which shows a mean Hb level of 17.7 ± 2 g/dL (range 5.1–23.6) and a mean red blood corpuscle (RBC) count of 5.6% ±5.1% (range 2.8–25.5). The mean total white cell count was 16.7 ± 9.3 × 103/µL, (range 3.9–365) and the mean platelet count was 238.4 ± 6.6 × 103/µL (range 30.6–787). Red blood cell parameters (Hb, hematocrit, MCV, mean corpuscular hemoglobin [MCH], and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration [MCHC]) in cord blood for males and females showed no statistical significant gender differences (P > 0.05) in red cell count, hematocrit, MCH, and MCHC. Conclusion: It is concluded that our study on reference ranges of full term, healthy newborns may thus provide clinicians the normal values for our community, which they can use to compare with their patients