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Sex- and age-based reference intervals for capillary complete blood count parameters among urban preschoolers in
Xiaosong Lin1, Ruiqiong Lin1, Huachuan Lin2
1Clinical Laboratory Department, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
Insights
New reference intervals for capillary complete blood count (CBC) in preschoolers were established. These sex- and age-specific ranges improve clinical decisions for children in Fuzhou, China.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Clinical Pathology
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Complete blood count (CBC) using capillary blood is vital for pediatric health assessment.
- Current reference intervals (RIs) may not accurately reflect diverse pediatric populations.
- Establishing regional, sex-, and age-specific RIs is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine sex- and age-specific reference intervals for 23 capillary CBC parameters.
- To provide updated RIs for urban preschoolers in Fuzhou, Southeast China.
- To enhance diagnostic accuracy in pediatric healthcare.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of capillary CBC data from 18,369 healthy preschoolers (2022-2023).
- Validation of new RIs against existing laboratory standards and data from other regions/methods.
- Comprehensive analysis of healthy children within the same cohort.
Main Results:
- Observed dynamic, sex-specific temporal changes in blood parameters for children aged 3-7.
- Developed new, feasible sex- and age-specific RIs for capillary CBC parameters.
- Demonstrated the clinical utility of the new RIs for local decision-making.
Conclusions:
- Sex- and age-specific RIs are essential for regional pediatric populations.
- Clinical RIs require continuous adjustment based on statistical data and clinical feedback.
- Updated RIs improve the reliability of CBC interpretation in pediatric practice.
Background And Aim:
Pediatricians commonly use the complete blood count (CBC) of capillary blood to evaluate health status, guide diagnoses, and determine treatment strategies. This study aimed to establish sex- and age-specific reference intervals (RIs) for 23 capillary CBC parameters for urban preschoolers in Fuzhou, Southeast China.
Materials And Methods:
Capillary blood CBC data of 18,369 healthy preschoolers who underwent annual physical examinations at Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital between January 01, 2022, and November 31, 2023, were analyzed retrospectively. To fully validate the new RIs, the data of all apparently healthy children within the same age cohort at the same institution were comprehensively analyzed in December 2023. The new RIs were assessed by comparing them with the RIs currently used in laboratories and those obtained from different regions, sample types, or methodologies.
Results:
Dynamic temporal changes that differ between males and females were observed in the blood system of 3-7-year-old children in this region. The new sex- and age-specific RIs for capillary CBC parameters were feasible to guide clinical decision-making in the local region.
Conclusions:
Our findings demonstrated the importance of establishing sex- and age-specific RIs for each region and underscored the necessity of continuous adjustment of clinical Rls based on statistical rules and clinical responses.
