Tinju James1 , Doniya Joson C.2
BACKGROUND Appropriate reference intervals for total leucocyte count (TLC) and differential leucocyte (DLC) are needed for the diagnosis, management, follow up, and screening of various disease conditions. The aim of the study was to establish the reference ranges for WBC and DLC in South Indian population. METHODS 100 healthy adults of the age group 18-22 years were enrolled in the study. Total WBC was counted manually with help of improved Neubauer’s double counting chamber. Peripheral blood smear was prepared to find out the differential leucocyte count. RESULTS The present study showed that mean total leucocyte count with reference range in this population was 7.296 x 109 /L (10.879 x 109 /L - 3.712 x 109 /L). Differential leucocyte count among this population showed 58.8% percentage neutrophils and 34.4% lymphocytes. A trend of positive correlation between BMI and total leucocyte count (r = 0.11, p value 0.29, 95% confidence interval -0.09 to 0.29) was noted among this study population. CONCLUSIONS The present study concluded that the mean total leucocyte count with reference range was 7.296 x 109 /L (10.879 x 109 /L - 3.712 x 109 /L). A positive correlation was noted between BMI and total leucocyte count (r = 0.11, p value 0.29, 95% confidence interval -0.09 to 0.29) in this study population. Further studies must be done in a larger population to establish biological reference value based on BMI and gender in order to increase the quality of test parameters.
