Establishment of Haematological Reference Values in Healthy Undergraduates (Aged 16-35 Years) in Part of South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Interpretation of laboratory test results with appropriate diagnostic accuracy requires reference or cutoff values. Aims: This study is aimed at establishing reference values of some haematological parameters among healthy undergraduate students (aged 16-35 years) in South-South Nigeria. Methodology: A total of One thousand nine hundred and thirty-five healthy students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma were recruited into this study. Only subjects negative for HIV I & II, HBsAg, HCV, VDRL and belonged to Haemoglobin genotype AA, AS or AC were included in this study. Haematological parameters of the subjects were analyzed using Sysmex autoanalyzer. Results: Our results  showed the reference intervals of 3.6835-5.82, 9.9-15.2, 29.8-44.5, 80.36-86.7, 22.18-30.2, 30.6-36.2, 33.9-45.9 and 11.8-16.1 were obtained for the respective parameters of RBC, PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW SD and RDW CV. WBC parameters such as WBC, LYM %, MXD %, NEUT %, LYM (x103/µl), MXD (x103/µl) and NEUT (x103/µl) recorded reference intervals of 3.1-7.8, 23.7625-62.8, 4.7-20.0, 37.78-60.9, 1.3-3.7, 0.2-1.135 and 0.9-4.0 respectively. Furthermore, the Platelets parameters of PLT, PDW, MPV and P-LCR were 80-339.3, 10.2-18.3, 8.9-12.1 and 16.2275-41.7 respectively. With respect to sex, the male subjects had higher RBC, HGB PCV and MXD % than the female subjects. Whereas women had higher RDW SD, WBC, LYM (x103/µl), MXD (x103/µl), NEUT (x103/µl) and PLT than men. On the other hand, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW CV, LYM %, NEUT %, PDW, MPV and P-LCR were not affected by sex (P>0.05). Based on age, only the PCV and MCV of the study subjects were affected (P>0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, the haematologic reference values of the subjects studied were lower compared to reference ranges elsewhere. Furthermore, some haematological parameters were both affected by sex and age in the study area.