Abstract
Reference values are essential for clinical practice. Laboratory reference values should be established according to an individual's locality because of the differences in nutritional, environmental, and genetic factors. There is a lack of data about a reference value of hematological parameters in the neonates in Sudan. This study aimed to determine the local reference value of most hematological parameters in neonatal cord blood. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study, including 500 neonatal cord blood samples from June 2016 to June 2017. The study was conducted in Elobied delivery hospitals, Kordofan state- Sudan. Three milliliters of umbilical cord blood were collected into EDTA containers immediately after the delivery. Blood counts and other hematological parameters were determined using an auto hematology analyzer (Mindary BC-3000 plus). Healthy 500 full-term newborns (49% males, 51% of females) were enrolled in this study. 61.8% (309/500) were delivered by spontaneous vaginal delivery and 38.2% (191/500) by elective caesarian section. The average weight of the newborn was 2.5- 4.0 kg. The male neonates had significantly higher Red blood cell (RBCs) count and higher RDW-CV% (P.value = 0.01) than females but lower mean cell Hb concentration (MCHC) (P.value= 0.00). While hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, hematocrit (PCV), mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), platelet count, and WBC count, illustrated no significant statistical differences between both genders. According to obtained results, the reference value of hematological parameters has also established the way of delivery may affect the parameters.