Comparative Assessment of Red Blood Cell Morphology in Anaemic Children

Abstract

Anaemia (haemoglobin level < 11 g/dl) is a health burden among preschool children and women of child bearing age and affects over 27% of the World population. Anaemia results from reduction in the functional haemoglobin or red blood cell numbers or mass leading to decreased oxygen carrying capacity characterized by clinical features such as; skin pallor, fatigue, shortness of breath, congestive heart failure, jaundice and tachycardia. Evaluating and interpreting red blood cell morphology provides key information in the differential diagnosis of Anaemia. However, the current standard Peripheral thin blood method of assessing red blood cell morphology is highly technical and time consuming. There was need to carry out assessment into the alternative Automated Complete Blood Count method to aid in the selection of the reliable assay. The objective of the study was to compare between Peripheral blood thin film and Automated Complete Blood Count morphologically classified Anaemia in children. The study was cross-sectional and employed simple random sampling technique. Blood samples were obtained from the participants, assessed for red blood cell morphology by Automated Complete Blood Count and Peripheral thin blood film. Data was analyzed using SPSS and a paired t-test used to test for the statistical significance. Results show no significant difference in the scores for Peripheral thin blood film (M=25.5, SD=11.82) and Automated Complete Blood Count (M=25.5, SD=12.66) t (3) =0.00, p =1.000. Automated Complete Blood Count is a method of choice in assessing red blood cell morphology and evaluating Anaemia. The study recommends assessment into various Automated Complete Blood Count models available in the market to aid in the selection of most reliable one.