Tunisian Newborn's Cord Blood: Reference Values of Complete Blood Count and Hemoglobin Fractions

Abstract

Objective This study was aimed to establish local reference values for hematological indices and hemoglobin (Hb) fractions in umbilical cord blood (UCB) for the northern population of Tunisia. Study Design Our study included full-term newborns by vaginal deliveries. Hematological parameters were collected using an automated blood cell counter. The amounts of Hb fractions were measured by capillary electrophoresis of Hb. Statistical analysis was performed using R software. Results A total of 328 cord blood samples were analyzed. Among them, 154 (male: 44.8%, female: 55.2%) were used to establish reference values. The normal reference values of complete blood count (CBC) and Hb fractions were calculated. Mean neonatal Hb was 14.75 ± 2.26 g/dL. Gestational age affects the expression of CBC values as red blood cell (RBC), Hb, hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), white blood cell (WBC), and the Hb profile. Umbilical blood hemogram parameters and Hb profile are affected by the environment; higher in newborns from urban regions but not affected by gender ratio. Conclusion Reference ranges of normal CBC indices and Hb fractions have been successfully established in Tunisian neonates' UCB. Our data suggest reference values that could be useful for neonatal patients' laboratory results and clinical interpretation. Key Points

Prematüre bebeklerde cinsiyet ve doğum şeklinin sistemik inflamatuar indeksler üzerine etkisi

“…Glasser et al have evaluated the lymphocyte subsets in newborns and stated that lymphocyte subgroups differed between the sexes 35 . It has been previously shown that the number of lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes and leukocytes is not affected by gender in term newborns 33,36,37 . In our results, it was shown that leukocyte parameters were similar in both sexes in preterm infants born before the 32 nd weeks of gestation.…”

New Born Screening of Hemoglobinopathies in a Center Tunisian Population

“…In Tunisia, nationwide neonatal screening for hemoglobinopathies has not been implemented, which becomes an urgent need to set up a new national screening program hence the interest of our study. A previous study made by our laboratory aimed to establish local reference values among normal subjects for hematological indices and hemoglobin (Hb) fractions in umbilical cord blood (UCB) for the northern population of Tunisia 15 . Their data suggest reference values that could be useful for neonatal patients’ laboratory results and clinical interpretation.…”

“…Frequencies of abnormal hemoglobin in North African Countries 14 . An updated review of the epidemiologic and molecular data among Tunisian subjects was reported by Fattoum S in 2006 15 …”