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Biochemical and hematologic parameters for children in the middle belt of Ghana
David K Dosoo1, Kwaku P Asante, Kingsley Kayan
1Kintampo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo, Ghana; Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.
Insights
This study established local reference values for pediatric biochemical and hematologic parameters in Ghana. These new values improve laboratory test interpretation for healthcare and clinical trials in the region.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Pediatric Hematology
- Laboratory Medicine
Background:
- Current laboratory diagnostics in many African nations rely on reference values from developed countries, potentially leading to misinterpretation.
- Establishing locally derived reference values is crucial for accurate clinical assessment and research in diverse populations.
- Ghanaian children's health monitoring and clinical trial safety require region-specific laboratory benchmarks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine age- and sex-specific reference values for biochemical and hematologic parameters in healthy children from Ghana's middle belt.
- To provide a locally relevant dataset for interpreting laboratory results in pediatric healthcare and clinical trials.
- To address the limitations of using non-local reference ranges in African pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) C28-A3 guidelines for reference value determination.
- Analyzed a sample of 1,442 healthy children from Ghana's middle belt.
- Measured 21 biochemical and 18 hematologic parameters.
Main Results:
- Established new, locally relevant reference values for 21 biochemical and 18 hematologic tests in Ghanaian children.
- Observed lower levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell volume, erythrocytes, urea, and creatinine compared to northern country values.
- Found higher levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin in the Ghanaian pediatric cohort.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully generated a panel of age- and sex-specific reference values for key laboratory tests in Ghanaian children.
- These locally derived reference values will enhance the accuracy of laboratory result interpretation for clinical management and patient safety in Ghana.
- Implementation of these values is expected to improve diagnostic capabilities and monitoring during clinical trials within the region.
Abstract:
Reference values derived from developed countries are used in many countries in Africa for interpretation of laboratory results obtained during routine healthcare and clinical trials. Use of locally derived reference values has been recommended. The purpose of the study was to establish age- and sex-specific reference values for children in the middle belt of Ghana. Reference values were determined for 21 biochemical and 18 hematologic parameters by using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute C28-A3 guidelines in a sample of 1,442 healthy children. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell volume, erythrocytes, urea, and creatinine were lower when compared with values from northern countries but alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin were higher. A panel of locally relevant age- and sex-specific reference values was established for commonly used biochemical and hematologic tests in children in the middle part of Ghana. This will help in interpretation of laboratory results for clinical management of patients, screening, and safety monitoring during clinical trials.
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