Reference intervals for reticulocyte parameters (reticulocyte haemoglobin equivalent and immature reticulocyte fraction) in first-trimester pregnancy
Creators: name: Kumar, Utpal
name: Gupta, Arvind Kumar
name: Singh, Neha
name: Chandra, Harish
name: Chowdhury, Nilotpal
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2021
Subjects: subject: Medicine
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Immunology
subject: FOS: Clinical medicine
subject: Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Mathematical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Developmental Biology
subject: Science Policy
subject: Hematology

description: Reticulocyte parameters including reticulocyte haemoglobin equivalent (Ret-He) and immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) are newly recognised hematological parameters that are being used for diagnosis and follow-up of anaemic patients. Reference intervals of these parameters have been established in different populations, however, the data relating to pregnancy are still lacking. One hundred and fifty-five first-trimester pregnant females were screened and the reference interval was calculated after selecting the patient with fixed criteria. R statistical software was used for statistical calculations. We tried to establish a reference interval of Ret-He content and IRF in first-trimester pregnancy in our study.IMPACT STATEMENT<b>What is already known on this subject?</b> Ret-He and IRF have been established as the marker of iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anaemia in different age groups and as a marker of response to iron therapy. However, literature is scarce regarding the reference intervals of these parameters, especially in pregnancy.<b>What do the results of this study add?</b> This study establishes the reference interval of newer reticulocyte parameters in first-trimester pregnancy which is not yet established in the literature. Establishing a reference interval is required for any laboratory parameters to be used in the clinical context.<b>What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and further research?</b> The results of this study may help in making a clinical decision regarding iron deficiency in early pregnancy which is one of the common clinical problems in pregnancy. This study also serves as a baseline study for further studies of reference intervals for newer reticulocyte parameters in pregnancy. A similar study with a larger study population and follow-up with iron therapy may establish these parameters as one of the important markers of iron deficiency in pregnancy and help institute iron therapy on case-to-case basis. <b>What is already known on this subject?</b> Ret-He and IRF have been established as the marker of iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anaemia in different age groups and as a marker of response to iron therapy. However, literature is scarce regarding the reference intervals of these parameters, especially in pregnancy. <b>What do the results of this study add?</b> This study establishes the reference interval of newer reticulocyte parameters in first-trimester pregnancy which is not yet established in the literature. Establishing a reference interval is required for any laboratory parameters to be used in the clinical context. <b>What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and further research?</b> The results of this study may help in making a clinical decision regarding iron deficiency in early pregnancy which is one of the common clinical problems in pregnancy. This study also serves as a baseline study for further studies of reference intervals for newer reticulocyte parameters in pregnancy. A similar study with a larger study population and follow-up with iron therapy may establish these parameters as one of the important markers of iron deficiency in pregnancy and help institute iron therapy on case-to-case basis.