Haematological characteristics at moderate altitude in Rwanda

Abstract

B

ackground: Haematological adaptation to altitude varies according to populations. We report a study on haematological values in a student population in Butare, Rwanda (altitude: 1768 m; barometric pressure: 629 mm Hg). Objective: To illustrate haematological adaptation to moderate altitude. Setting: Laboratories of physiology and haematology, Butare University Teaching Hospital, Rwanda. Subjects and methods: Healthy young adults were randomly chosen among students of the National University of Rwanda to participate in the study. Radiometer OSM2b Haemoximeter was used to determine haemoglobin concentration. Haematocrit was determined by the micromethod using haematocrit capillaries. The red cell counting was done by the microscopic manual method with a Neubauer haematimeter. Mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin and mean cell haemoglobin concentration were calculated from red cell count, haematocrit and haemoglobin concentration. Results: The results – mean and reference range (2.5th–97.5th percentiles) in brackets – are as follows: haemoglobin concentration; males: 156 (136-177) g/L, females: 132 (114-150) g/L; haematocrit: males: 49.0 (43-54) %, females: 42.6 (36-48) %; red cell count: males: 5.01 (4.05-5.75) X 1012/L, females: 4.31 (3.7-4.9) X1012/L; mean cell volume: males: 97 (88-105) fL, females: 96 (87- 104) fL; mean cell haemoglobin: males: 31.1 (26- 36) pg; females: 30.6 (25-35) pg; mean cell haemoglobin concentration: males: 31.8 (27-36) g/dL; females: 31.0 (26-35) g/dL. Conclusion: The results show a normal haemoglobin concentration, a normal red cell count, an increase in haematocrit and mean cell volume, a normal mean cell haemoglobin and a low mean cell haemoglobin concentration. 

Key words: Rwanda, altitude, haematology