Hematological reference intervals among full-term newborns in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background : Hematological reference intervals are used for medical decision tools for interpretation of numerical test results. Establishing of hematological interval among newborn babies is very important for the diagnosis of malignancy, anemia, bleeding disorders, and various infections. There is no locally established hematological reference intervals in Ethiopia. Thus, the aim of this study is to established locally determined hematological reference interval among full-term newborns. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from February to May 2019 among 151 apparently healthy full-term newborns at Gondar University Hospital. About 3ml of cord blood was obtained for analysis of Hematological parameters and determined by using Sysmex KX-21N (Sysmex Corporation Kobe, Japan) automated analyzer. Median, 2.5 th and 97.5 th percentiles were computed. Result: Males to female’s ratio was almost equal. All hematological parameter had no statistically significant difference between males and females. The delivery types were not influenced its hematological values. The reference interval of white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell volume, and mean cell hemoglobin were (7.64-22.16) x10 9 /l, (3.69-5.47)x10 12 /l, (132.74-413.4) x10 9 /l, (13.32-19.64) g/dl and (39.42-58.06)%, (91.6-113.22)fl, and (30.48-38.02)pg, respectively. Conclusion : All hematological reference interval was established from full-term newborns at University of Gondar hospital was different from other studies in Nigeria, Iraq, Pakistan, Nepal, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Therefore, own determined reference value is very important for the clinicians to correctly diagnosis the patients at health facility levels.