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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
immunology and microbiology
Relationship between haemoglobin and haematocrit in the definition of anaemia
Tropical Medicine and International Health, Volume 11, No. 8, Year 2006
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Description
INTRODUCTION: Anaemia is the most frequent haematological disorder in childhood. The notion that defines naemia does not change throughout life, although parameters used for its evaluation show significant variations during childhood. Haematocrit (Hct) (%) is usually defined as three times the value of haemoglobin (Hgb) (g/dl), while the clinical definition of anaemia is related to either an abnormal Hct or Hgb value. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the agreement between Hgb and Hct values in the definition of anaemia, the relationship between these two parameters and their age-dependence. METHODS: The Hct and Hgb paired values from children aged 2-18 months from Ifakara (Tanzania) and children aged 1-4 years from Manhiça (Mozambique) were analysed. Haematological determinations of the Manhiça samples were done using a KX-21N cell counter (Kobe, Japan) and Ifakara samples were analysed in a semiautomatic cell counter (Sysmex F800 microcell counter, TOA Medical Electronics, Kobe, Japan). The κ-statistic was used to calculate the agreement between anaemia definitions in each group. Crude and multivariate relationship between Hct and Hgb levels were analysed by linear regression model estimation. The age-dependence of the crude ratio (Hct/Hgb) was analysed using linear regression models and fractional polynomials. RESULTS: The prevalences of mild and moderate anaemia as defined by Hgb levels in the Manhiça group were 61% and 6%, respectively, and 41% and 2% by Hct. In the Ifakara group these were 74% and 10%, respectively, by Hgb and 42% and 3% by Hct, respectively. Agreement between mild and moderate anaemia definitions made up from Hgb or from Hct levels were from fair to moderate. Hct levels decreased with age for high Hgb levels, whereas they increased for low Hgb levels. The classification of cases is improved when higher age-related cut-off values for Hct are used. The crude relationship between Hct and Hgb levels was significantly different from 3, and this was modified by age. The evaluation of the age-dependence ratio (Hct/Hgb) showed a non-linear relationship with an asymptotic trend to 3. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of haematocrit count is easy and can be performed in most rural health care centres. However, the corresponding Hgb levels cannot be derived with an acceptable accuracy using the value 3 as a conversion factor. Furthermore, the commonly assumed 'equivalent' cut-off points for anaemia definitions need to be re-evaluated. © 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Quintò, Llorenç L.
Spain, Barcelona
Universitat de Barcelona
Mozambique, Manhica
Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça Cism
Spain, Barcelona
Hospital Clinic Barcelona
Aponte, John Jairo
Spain, Barcelona
Universitat de Barcelona
Mozambique, Manhica
Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça Cism
Menéndez, Clara
Spain, Barcelona
Universitat de Barcelona
Mozambique, Manhica
Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça Cism
Sacarlal, J.
Mozambique, Manhica
Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça Cism
Mozambique, Maputo
Universidade Eduardo Mondlane
Aíde, Pedro
Mozambique, Manhica
Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça Cism
Mozambique, Maputo
Instituto Nacional de Saude Maputo
Espasa Soley, Mateu
Spain, Barcelona
Universitat de Barcelona
Mozambique, Manhica
Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça Cism
Mandomando, Inácio M.
Mozambique, Manhica
Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça Cism
Mozambique, Maputo
Instituto Nacional de Saude Maputo
Guinovart, Caterina
Spain, Barcelona
Universitat de Barcelona
Mozambique, Manhica
Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça Cism
MacEte, Eusébio V.
Mozambique, Manhica
Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça Cism
Hirt, Rosmarie
Tanzania, Ifakara
Ifakara Health Institute
Urassa, Honorathy M.R.
Tanzania, Ifakara
Ifakara Health Institute
Navia, Margarita Mariá
Spain, Barcelona
Universitat de Barcelona
Mozambique, Manhica
Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça Cism
Thompson, Ricardo Estevão
Mozambique, Manhica
Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça Cism
Mozambique, Maputo
Instituto Nacional de Saude Maputo
Alonso, Pedro Luís
Spain, Barcelona
Universitat de Barcelona
Mozambique, Manhica
Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça Cism
Statistics
Citations: 79
Authors: 14
Affiliations: 6
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1111/j.1365-3156.2006.01679.x
ISSN:
13602276
e-ISSN:
13653156
Research Areas
Maternal And Child Health
Study Locations
Mozambique
Tanzania