Sysmex Journal International

2006Vol.16 No.2

Original

Haematological Reference Ranges for Adults in Zimbabwe

AUTHOR(S)

Mandisodza AR*1, Gumbeze G*1, Mudenge B*2 and Abayomi A*3

*1 Departments of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Haematology,
    University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences
*2 Department of Haematology, National Public Health Laboratories, Parirenyatwa Hospital
*3 Department of Haematology, University of West Indies College of Medicine

SUMMARY

Haematological reference ranges are affected by several variables such as sex, race, altitude ( in case of red blood cell parameters ), etc. The reference ranges that are currently in use in Zimbabwe were adopted from other countries and refer mainly to Caucasian subjects. Reporting such reference ranges might be misleading because of differences based on the above variables. This study attempts to establish haematological reference ranges for an adult Zimbabwean population. Haematological tests were carried out in the haematology laboratory at Parirenyatwa hospital on 220 samples from regular blood donors ( 146 males and 74 females ), using automated hematology analyzer SF-3000 ( Sysmex Corporation, Japan ).

Zimbabweans exhibited a low white blood cell count compared to reference ranges established in Europe using automated hematology analyzer XT-2000i  / XT-1800i
( Sysmex Corporation, Japan ). All red cell and platelet parameters appeared lower than Caucasian values. The mean values in this study compared relatively well with an earlier study on elderly Zimbabweans. There were notable differences between Zimbabwean and European reference ranges and similarities between Zimbabwean and reference ranges from other African studies. To improve the interpretation and reporting of results, Zimbabwe needs to establish its own haematological reference ranges.

KEY WORDS

Haematological, Laboratories, Reference Ranges, Variables, Parameters