Capillary blood reference intervals for platelet parameters in healthy full-term neonates in China

Abstract

Background: No consensus has been reached on capillary blood reference intervals for platelet parameters in full-term neonates. We aimed to establish neonatal capillary blood reference intervals for platelet parameters and evaluate influences of sex, gestational age and postnatal age on platelet parameters. Methods: This study was a prospective investigation and implemented in 594 healthy full-term neonates from 12 to 84 h of age, using SYSMEX XN-9000 haematology automatic analyser by means of capillary blood. Reference intervals for platelet parameters were defined by an interval of 2.5th-97.5th percentiles. Results: Capillary reference interval for platelet count was (152-464) × 109/L. No significance was found between sex-divided reference intervals for platelet parameters. The values of platelet count changed minimally across gestational age (37-41 weeks) and postnatal age (12-84 h). Reference intervals for other platelet parameters were affected by these factors to a different extent. Conclusions: We established capillary blood reference intervals for platelet parameters in the first days after birth of full-term neonates in China.