Contributions
Abstract: PB1855
Type: Publication Only
Background
High altitude (HA) has always intrigued physiologists because of the remarkable ability of man to adapt to the hostile environment. Hematological changes associated with HA exposure is believed to be driven by hypobaric hypoxia of HA. Majority of the studies on HA physiology and hematological adaptation have focused on the hematological adaptation in lowlanders visiting HA or have compared the hematological profile of native highlanders from Andes and Tibet with those of the neighboring lowlanders. These studies have mostly been directed towards adult population with no or little reference to children and adolescent age groups. Moreover these studies have been done mostly on the highlanders of Andes and Tibet with no data on Indian highlanders.
Aims
We aimed at assessing hematological parameters in native highlanders in the age group of 4- 19 yrs and compare the same with Indian lowland population as well as native highlanders around the globe.
Methods
A total of 390 native highlanders of Ladakh in the age group of 4-19 yrs with no history of travel to lowland were taken for the study. A written informed consent was taken from the parents of all the subjects before starting interviewing them for the laboratory investigations. After taking antiseptic precautions, blood samples were drawn from the ante-cubital vein and complete hemogram including red blood cell indices were measured. The study subjects were stratified into five age groups (less than 5y, 5-8y, 8-10y, 10-12y, 12-15y and children more than 15y). Appropriate statistical analysis was done to compare the hematological parameters between the stratified age groups as well as between boys and girls.
Results
A total of 197 girls and 193 boys were included in the study. The mean age of the subjects was 128 ± 80 (mean ± 2SD) months. The mean hematocrit value increased with age (38.68 ± 2.51% in <5 yrs age group to 43.84 ± 2.04% in >15 yrs age group). Similarly the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) also showed a rising trend with age (79.07 ± 3.36 fL in < 5 yrs age to 85.66± 2.72 fL in > 15 yrs age). In contrast to the rising values of hematocrit and MCV we found that the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) decreased with age from 36.91 ± 2.85% at < 5 yrs of age to 33.78 ± 2.31% at >15 yrs of age. The variations among the age groups are significant for hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and MCHC (p<0.01). On comparison of hematological parameters between boys and girls we found that the mean hemoglobin concentration in girls (13.99 ± 0.29 g/dL) was significantly lower than boys (15.43 ± 0.28g/dL). The same findings were replicated in the mean RBC count (4.79 ± 0.08 in girls v/s 5.07 ±0.08 in boys) and mean hematocrit (39.49 ± 0.82% in girls v/ 41.57 ± 0.82% in boys). The mean MCHC in boys (37.23 ± 0.93%) was significantly higher than those in girls (35.69 ± 0.94%). The mean platelet count in boys was significantly higher than in girls (p=0.0003).
Conclusion
The hematological adaptation of Ladakhi kids is different as compared to other native highlanders. There is also a significant difference in the hematological response to hypobaric hypoxia with growing age and between boys and girls.
Session topic: 23. Hematopoiesis, stem cells and microenvironment
Keyword(s): Red blood cell, Platelet, Hemoglobin
Abstract: PB1855
Type: Publication Only
Background
High altitude (HA) has always intrigued physiologists because of the remarkable ability of man to adapt to the hostile environment. Hematological changes associated with HA exposure is believed to be driven by hypobaric hypoxia of HA. Majority of the studies on HA physiology and hematological adaptation have focused on the hematological adaptation in lowlanders visiting HA or have compared the hematological profile of native highlanders from Andes and Tibet with those of the neighboring lowlanders. These studies have mostly been directed towards adult population with no or little reference to children and adolescent age groups. Moreover these studies have been done mostly on the highlanders of Andes and Tibet with no data on Indian highlanders.
Aims
We aimed at assessing hematological parameters in native highlanders in the age group of 4- 19 yrs and compare the same with Indian lowland population as well as native highlanders around the globe.
Methods
A total of 390 native highlanders of Ladakh in the age group of 4-19 yrs with no history of travel to lowland were taken for the study. A written informed consent was taken from the parents of all the subjects before starting interviewing them for the laboratory investigations. After taking antiseptic precautions, blood samples were drawn from the ante-cubital vein and complete hemogram including red blood cell indices were measured. The study subjects were stratified into five age groups (less than 5y, 5-8y, 8-10y, 10-12y, 12-15y and children more than 15y). Appropriate statistical analysis was done to compare the hematological parameters between the stratified age groups as well as between boys and girls.
Results
A total of 197 girls and 193 boys were included in the study. The mean age of the subjects was 128 ± 80 (mean ± 2SD) months. The mean hematocrit value increased with age (38.68 ± 2.51% in <5 yrs age group to 43.84 ± 2.04% in >15 yrs age group). Similarly the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) also showed a rising trend with age (79.07 ± 3.36 fL in < 5 yrs age to 85.66± 2.72 fL in > 15 yrs age). In contrast to the rising values of hematocrit and MCV we found that the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) decreased with age from 36.91 ± 2.85% at < 5 yrs of age to 33.78 ± 2.31% at >15 yrs of age. The variations among the age groups are significant for hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and MCHC (p<0.01). On comparison of hematological parameters between boys and girls we found that the mean hemoglobin concentration in girls (13.99 ± 0.29 g/dL) was significantly lower than boys (15.43 ± 0.28g/dL). The same findings were replicated in the mean RBC count (4.79 ± 0.08 in girls v/s 5.07 ±0.08 in boys) and mean hematocrit (39.49 ± 0.82% in girls v/ 41.57 ± 0.82% in boys). The mean MCHC in boys (37.23 ± 0.93%) was significantly higher than those in girls (35.69 ± 0.94%). The mean platelet count in boys was significantly higher than in girls (p=0.0003).
Conclusion
The hematological adaptation of Ladakhi kids is different as compared to other native highlanders. There is also a significant difference in the hematological response to hypobaric hypoxia with growing age and between boys and girls.
Session topic: 23. Hematopoiesis, stem cells and microenvironment
Keyword(s): Red blood cell, Platelet, Hemoglobin