A comparative study of reticulocyte count in healthy young adult and elderly age group subjects.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Aging process has been viewed as progressive decline in physiological process necessary for maintenance of a constant milieu interior and death as the ultimate failure to sustain homeostasis. Reticulocytes are juvenile red cell. It is flat non-nucleated disc shaped, slightly larger than mature erythrocyte .The number of reticulocyte present in the peripheral blood is a fairly accurate reflection of erythropoitic activity of bonemarrow. Normal values in young adult- 0.5 to 2.5% of total RBC count. The present study was conducted to find out changes in the reticulocyte count in the elderly subject. Aims: to uncover the effect of aging on reticulocyte count. Material and method: 90 subjects were divided into two groups, normal control group (n=30, mean age 35.83yrs) and elderly group (n=60, mean age62.55yrs). Reticulocyte counts were done by new Methylene Blue method. Result & Observations significant decrease in reticulocyte count was observed in elderly group as compare to normal control group. Conclusion: our data suggests that aging may alter haematological parameters including reticulocyte count.