The Determination of Hematologic Reference Values in Neonates in Mashhad

The results of laboratory tests have little practical utility unless clinical studies have ascribed various states of health and disease to intervals of values. Some factors affect hematologic values, including race, environment, time and test method, blood collection location, gestational age and maternal factors. Since these factors vary in various populations, they can cause differences in reference hematologic values. In this study in 1387, 447 healthy neonates with more than 2500 gr, born in different hospitals of Mashhad, were selected and cord blood specimens were taken using EDTA anticoagulant. Complete blood count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and RBC indices were measured by using sysmex cell counter. Differential leukocyte counts were determined in peripheral blood smear. The data were analyzed by SPSS software, version 11.50 for which p value ≤ 0.05 was significant. Mean and hematologic reference ranges were determined as follows: WBC (×103µl)=11.62 (5.16-18.2), RBC (×106 µl)=4.45(3.61-5.29), Hb (g/dl)=15.9 (13-18.8), Hct (%)=48.3(39.6-56.9), MCV (fl)=108.7(97.5-119.8), MCH (pg)=35.8(31.7-40), MCHC (g/dl)=33(30.1-35.2), RDW (%)=17.1 (14.1-20.3). We observed some differences in hematologic values in cord blood of neonates in comparison with other references which should be considered in clinical evaluations. Especially RBCs and hemoglobin were higher and MCV, WBC and absolute neutrophil count were lower.