ASSESSMENT OF PACKED CELL VOLUME AMONG STUDENTS OF FEDERAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY, VOM, PLATEAU STATE

Packed cell volume (PCV) measures the proportion of red blood cells in a given whole blood. Usually the test is referred to as PCV if manual method is used in the determination but when automated machine is used in the determination it is referred to as the hematocrit. PCV is expressed as a percentage. It is a laboratory test to check for anaemia or polycythemia. Anaemia is defined as reduction in total red blood cells count while polycythaemia (erythrocytosis), an increase in total red cells count is a proliferative disorder of the red blood cells. The main function of red blood cells is to transport oxygen round the body. Oxygen is indispensible to life as it is needed for respiration and energy. In the human the normal range of PCV for adult males is 40%-50% while that for adult females is 36%-46%. This study was undertaken to access the PCV of apparently healthy adults in our locality and to check if differences in regions of residence, lifestyle and genetics affect the normal ranges of PCV already established in the literatures from researches done in other regions and races. Reference ranges if established in each locality may better equip healthcare providers and avoid misdiagnosis as a result of using the data obtained from other region and race. The PCV was determined using the manual microhematocrit method. The sample size was 399 and 164 were males. The PCV range for the males is 42%-50% while that of the females is 36%-45%. This study has shown that there is no statistical significant difference between the reference ranges already established in literature and the ones estimated in this study for both males and females participants (p>0.05). The PCV reference range already established can continue to be used in this locality as there is no statistical difference between the already established range and the range obtained in this study.