European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

STUDY OF RETICULOCYTE PARAMETERS OF BLOOD DONORS OF AT THE NATIONAL BLOOD TRANSFUSION CENTER (NBTC) IN ABIDJAN

Kamagaté Taïratou*, Yayo-Ayé Mireille, N'guessan-Blao Rebecca, Adjé Missa Louis,
Meledje Marie-France and Sawadogo Duni

ABSTRACT

The occurrence of anemia in blood donors has always been a major concern, affecting both donor safety and the quality of blood components. Nowadays, automated blood analyzers offer new parameters, including reticulocyte hemoglobin content (RET-He), capable of diagnosing anemias. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the usefulness of RET-He in diagnosing anemias and iron deficiencies compared to the usual parameter (ferritin). This cross-sectional study included regular blood donors of both sex who consented to participate. Venous blood collected in EDTA tubes was used for hemogram analysis and RET-He measurement using the Sysmex XN 350 analyzer. Ferritin levels were measured from serum using the Maglumi 800 analyzer. The study population consisted of 196 donors, predominantly male (sex ratio=1.15). The prevalence of anemia was 29%, mostly of hypochromic microcytic type (59.92%). Using ferritin levels as the reference method, RET-He showed a sensitivity of 34% and specificity of 81% in diagnosing iron deficiencies in the study population. However, in cases of anemia, this parameter had a sensitivity of 59% and specificity of 61.8%. RET-He could be a less costly alternative in screening for iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia in association with the hemogram.

Keywords: Iron Deficiency, Ferritin, Hemoglobin, RET-He.