Haematological profile of adolescents in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire)

In Côte d'Ivoire, haematological status of adolescents has not yet been established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the haematological profile of healthy adolescents in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire). Our study was undertaken with 847 healthy volunteers adolescents aged from 12 to 18 years. They were selected in three municipalities of Abidjan. The complete blood cells count was analyzed for each of these adolescents and each blood sample was screened for hemoglobin pathologies by using electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membranes at alkaline pH. The values of all parameters in the complete blood cells count were normal for 9.4 % against 90.6 % with the abnormal haematological status. In the abnormal values, the prevalence of anaemia was 53.1 % with 43.3 % of microcytic hypochromic anaemia, 16.9 % of normocytic normochromic anaemia, 15.6 % of normocytic hypochromic anaemia and 1.1 % of microcytic hypochromic anaemia. The microcytosis (44.4 %), hypochromia (60.3 %), leukopenia (35.1 %), neutropenia (13 %), monocytopenia (4.1 %), thrombocytopenia (6.4 %) and decreased proportion of eosinophils (9.8 %) were also observed in total study population. In addition, a significant difference was indicated between both sexes for mean values of the red cells blood count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, thromcytes, eosinophils, and monocytes. In this context, the boys showed generally the greatest mean values of these parameters compared to girls. Typing of hemoglobin showed that 15.5 % of subjects presented abnormal hemoglobins corresponding to 17 % for boys and 13.9 % for girls. The components of the abnormal hemoglobin status have included the hemoglobin AS, SS, AC, CC and SC. The study showed that the haematological profile of adolescents is more altered in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire). In addition, our investigations revealed also that over half (53.1 %) adolescents indicated anaemia. In the same vein, all the white blood count parameters were modified in adolescent's population. Future studies in all municipalities of Abidjan, in all regions of Côte d'Ivoire for a representative sample will lead to real values of the parameters of normal blood count of adolescents in our country.