Reference range values of hematological parameters in saudi healthy adults

ABSTRACT

This study has been designed and conducted to establish the normal values of various hematological parameters for healthy adult Saudi males and females, and to compare these values with those obtained for other populations in both Western and tropical countries. The study was undertaken in a reference adult Saudi population in the area of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 300 [150 males and 150 females] healthy volunteers whose ages ranged between 20-40 years, were investigated. All laboratory analysis was conducted under standardized conditions at the Hematology Section, Department of Pathology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center. In males, the mean hemoglobin concentration of 15.2 g/dl [range 13.2-17.20 g/dl], and hematocrit ratio of 0.45 [range 0.39-0.51] were significantly higher than female values of 12.9 g/dl [range 11.0-14.7 g/dl] and 0.38 [range 0.33-0.44] [p<0.05]. The mean red cell count values of 5.2 x 10[12] /L [range 4.4-6.0 x 10[12] /L] in males were also significantly higher than the corresponding values of 4.5 x l0[12] /L [range 3.8-5.3 x l0[12] /L] in females [p<0.05]. The mean and range values of mean cell volume in males [mean of 86.40 fl and range of 82.20-94.90 fl] were significantly higher than in females mean of 84.0 and range of 73.10-94.90 [p<0.05]. Similarly, the mean and range values of mean cell hemoglobin and mean cell hemoglobin concentration were significantly higher in males than the corresponding values in females [p<0.05]. On the other hand, the mean white blood cell count of 6.5 x 10[9] /L [range 3.3-9.7 x 10[9] /L] in the males was significantly lower than the mean value of 7.2 x 10[9] /L [range 3.60-12.80, x 10[9] /L] in the females [p<0.05]. Similarly, the values for platelet counts of 246 x 10[9] /L [range 156-377 x 10[9] /L] in the males were also significantly lower than the corresponding values of 283 x 10[9] /L [range 169-396 x 10[9] /L] in the females [p<0.05]. This study has established base-line values for hematological parameters in healthy Saudi adults. The sex difference of the measured levels of all of these parameters has attained statistical significance. Furthermore, when the established values of this study were compared with those quoted for the methods in use and those drawn from different populations, several differences emerged. Such differences are of importance for the accurate clinical interpretation of hematological investigations of patients