Reference Value Profile for Healthy Individuals From the Aljouf region of Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Many factors influence hematological values such as sex, age, ethnic origin, geographic location, season, and genetic disease. The aim of this study was to detect the hematological reference value profile for healthy adults from the Aljouf region of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: The project was carried out on 2,040 healthy individuals, 1,152 males and 888 females, with ages ranging from 17 to 28 years. A group of participants were recruited from the higher secondary schools, university students and premarital centers of Aljouf cities. Hematological reference value profile, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, red blood cell (RBC) count, RBC indices, white blood cell (WBC) count, differential WBC and platelet (Plt) count were measured. Moreover, a peripheral blood film was prepared in order to detect abnormalities of RBC and all samples were examined for liver function tests (LFTs) and renal function test (RFT) performed, along with a lipid profile. RESULTS: Hb concentration, hematocrit (Hct) and RBCs were found to be significantly higher in males than in females (P < 0.01). On the contrary, Plt ranges were significantly lower in male as compared to female (P < 0.01). No significant differences in the study population were determined in the other hematological parameters (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings reflect that healthy adults from the Aljouf region have some hematological parameters differing quantitatively from Caucasians. The hematological reference value profile reported here can be used as normal reference values for Saudi people of the Aljouf region to help in diagnosis and consequently treatment of individuals with hematological disorders.