HAEMATOLOGICAL REFERENCE VALUES FOR FULL TERM HEALTHY NEONATES DELIVERED WITHIN 24 HOURS IN SOKOTO, NORTHERN NIGERIA

Background: The importance of determination of haematological reference values cannot be overemphasized as the changes in some of the blood cell parameters are of clinical importance. The study aimed at determining the haematological reference values in healthy neonates delivered within 24 hours. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 72 healthy, full term neonates (30 males and 42 females) delivered within 24 hours between July and November, 2015 at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto. Blood samples were analysed for full blood count using haematology analyser (Mythic 22CT, 2008). Results: The mean values for red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, total white blood cell and platelet counts in neonates were (4.39 ± 0.59) x 1012/L, 14.05 ± 2.01 g/dL, 38.92 ± 6.75%, (13.46 ± 4.74) x 109/L and (209.33 ± 63.15) x 109/L, respectively. There were no significant differences in the values of red cell, white blood cell and platelet counts between males and females (P > 0.05). Lower values of haematocrit and platelet count were observed in this study compared to other reports while the high total white blood cell count in the studied population is in agreement with some previous studies but in contrary with other researchers. Conclusion: Neonates within 24 hours of delivery are associated with leucocytosis while the haematological values are not influenced by gender in neonates. This study will serve as a guide to the clinicians in the management of neonates in this community and at the same time set a foundation for future studies on the determination of reference range in Northern Nigeria.