Sex- and age-based reference intervals for capillary complete blood count parameters among urban preschoolers in southeast China based on a large community population
Xiaosong Lin,
Ruiqiong Lin,
Huachuan Lin,
Boqiu Zhang,
Feng Cheng,
Yueqing Su
Affiliations
Xiaosong Lin
Clinical Laboratory Department, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
Ruiqiong Lin
Clinical Laboratory Department, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
Huachuan Lin
Department of Child Healthcare Centre, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
Boqiu Zhang
Department of Paediatrics, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
Feng Cheng
Clinical Laboratory Department, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Corresponding author. Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
Yueqing Su
Clinical Laboratory Department, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Corresponding author. Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
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.
