Haematological reference intervals for adolescents and adults in nakuru county, Kenya
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Date
2018-05
Authors
Gachie, Rose Nyambura
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The haematologic reference intervals are important in the assessment of health and
diseases conditions in a certain population and they vary with to age, sex, altitude and
genetic. The current study intended to establish the haematological reference intervals in
Nakuru County, Kenya. A cross sectional design was used where samples of blood were
collected from consenting participants. The number of participants recruited for the study
was 627 and they aged 13 to 18 years for the adolescents and 19 to 55 years for the
adults. The erythrocyte median and reference indices (RBC count, P <0.0001; Hb, P
<0.0001; HCT, P <0.0001; MCH, P =0.034; and MCHC, P <0.0001) were significantly
different across the study groups. Post-hoc analyses showed that the median and
reference HB, RBC, MCH, HCT, and MCHC counts were lower in female adults
compared to male adults (P <0.05). Furthermore, median and reference values for MCHC
were lower in the female adults compared to male adults, female adolescents and male
adolescents (P <0.0001, respectively). The median and reference for Hb, MCH, RBC,
Hct, and MCHC values in the male adults were however, higher in comparison to female
adolescents (P <0.0001, respectively) while Hct was also lower in comparison to male
adolescents (P <0.01). Finally, the median and reference Hb, Hct, RBC and MCH values
were lower in the female adolescents compared to the male adolescents P <0.0001 for
all). The median and the reference levels for the absolute monocyte and eosinophil counts
showed statistical significance (monocyte, P <0.0001; eosinophil, P <0.001). Consequent
analysis indicated differences with females adolescents having higher values than male
adolescents p, <0.0001 for monocytes counts. The females indicated higher median and
reference differential count levels for [lymphocytes (P<0.012), monocytes (P<0.031) and
basophils (P<0.0001) than male and the values showed statistical significant (p <0.05).
Post hoc indicated statistical differences within study groups with females having higher
median and higher reference values for a lymphocytes and monocytes than the males
adults (P<0.05) and male adolescents (P <0.0001). Age differences were also noted for
lymphocytes, monocytes and basophils with female adults having lower values than the
adults (P<0.0001). Females had higher median levels for absolute platelet counts than
males and there was statistical difference (P <0.0001). Adult males also showed higher
reference values than the male adolescents (P <0.0001). MPV also illustrated higher
medium levels in females than males for adolescent (P <0.05). Further analysis
indicated statistical significance with females having higher values (P <0.0001). Age
differences were noted with male adults versus male adolescents for MPV (P <0.05). The
results indicated low haematological reference values as compared to the currently
utilized values by the clinicians in Kenya and also in Nakuru County. These data will
therefore provide haematological reference values for this specific region which can also
be interpolated in other regions for correct patients’ management and for clinical care.
Description
A thesis submitted for the award of the degree of doctor of philosophy (cell haematology) in the school of medicine, kenyatta university .May 2018