Haematological indices in normal negro children: a Jamaican cohort from birth to five years

Abstract

Haematological indices, including total haemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, red cell count, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin, reticulocytes, and serum iron values, in a cohort of 243 randomly selected Negro children with normal haemoglobin genotype, followed from birth to 5 years, are reported. Total haemoglobin fell rapidly from high levels at birth to a plateau at 2-6 months; a secondary fall occurred after 6 months and a gradual increase after 18 months. The red cell count also fell rapidly, but increased after 2 months to a plateau and then slowly declined from age 1-5. Mean cell volume and mean cell haemoglobin fell continuously from birth to the lowest values at 15 months and then progressively increased to the age of 5 years. Serum iron levels were low at one year of age (mean 9.7 mumol/l) increasing slowly by age 4 and sharply by age 5. Mean cell haemoglobin concentration fell gradually to 1-1 1/2 years and then increased progressively to age 5. Values for Hb, MCHC, MCV, and MCH were consistently and often significantly lower in males before the age of 2 years, compatible with greater depletion of iron stores. Serum iron values were generally lower in males but there was no sex difference at one year when highly significant differences in Hb, MCHC, MCV, and MCH occurred. The cause of sex differences in early haematological development is currently unclear.

Normal Reference Values for Hematological Parameters, Red Cell Indices, Hb A2 and Hb F from Early Childhood Through Adolescence in Saudis

“…3,5,12,14,18,24,26 In African-American, African and Afro-Caribbean children, the levels of these parameters are generally lower than in Caucasians. 5,12,19,24,26 Environmental factors and altitude also influence the value of hematological parameters. 10 Saudi Arabia forms the largest part of the Arabian Peninsula and occupies over 2.2 million square kilometers.…”

“…These factors include age, sex, ethnic background, body build and social, nutritional and environmental factors, especially altitude. [1][2][3][4][5] It has been shown in several studies that some of the hematological parameters exhibit considerable variations at different periods of life. At birth, the total hemoglobin (Hb) level, red blood cell (RBC) count and packed cell volume (PCV) are shown to be higher than at any other period of life.…”

A cohort study of haemoglobin and zinc protoporphyrin levels in term Zambian infants: effects of iron stores at birth, complementary food and placental malaria

“…The combination of abnormal values for both ZPP and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is a more sensitive indicator of iron deficiency (INACG, 1985). We used MCHC cutoffs of 32 g/dl for pregnant women (Letsky, 1991) and 28 g/dl for newborns (Saarinen and Siimes, 1978;Serjeant et al, 1980). MCHC estimates were not available at 4 and 6 months follow-up.…”

The role of delayed umbilical cord clamping to control infant anaemia in resource-poor settings

“…The combination of abnormal values for both ZPP and Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) is a more sensitive indicator of iron deficiency (IN-ACG, 1985). We used MCHC cut-offs of 32 g/dL for pregnant women and 28 g/dL for newborns (Saarinen & Siimes, 1978;Serjeant et al, 1980). MCHC estimates were not available at 4 and 6 months follow-up.…”

“…Fetal anaemia was defined as a cord Hb less than 12·5 g/dL, which is 2 SD below the mean cord Hb for nonmalarious western populations . We used MCHC cutoffs of 32 g/dL for pregnant women ) and 28 g/dL for newborns (Saarinen & Siimes 1978; Serjeant et al 1980). MCHC estimates were not available at 4 and 6 months follow-up.…”