Abstract
Introduction
Down syndrome is associated with various congenital anomalies and metabolic alterations such as hematological alterations. Values for the major hematological indicators vary with age and sex, but these values have not been described for Mexican children with Down syndrome.
Objective
To describe the complete blood count (CBC) values of pediatric patients with Down syndrome in México and report the most common non-malignant hematological alterations.
Materials and methods
The analysis includes data from 450 patients with Down syndrome, 55.5% ware males, aged 0-18 years who were patients at the Mexican National Institute of Pediatrics and whose clinical charts included CBC panel results for the period January 2008 through March 2018.
Results
A total of 3438 CBC panels were analyzed with descriptive statistics to find the values and statistical dispersion of the major indicators, with percentiles, and reported separately by sex and age group. The most common non-malignant hematological alterations found were macrocytic anemia, leukopenia, lymphopenia, and thrombocytosis. There were differences in values in all three series.
Conclusions
The CBC panels and hematological alterations are summarized for patients with Down syndrome.
Supplementary Information
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12887-022-03450-8.
Keywords: Down syndrome, Blood cells, Children, Not-malignant hematological alterations
Introduction
Down syndrome is the most common human genetic disorder [1]. In Mexico, the Secretary of Health estimates its prevalence at 1 in 650 live newborns [2]. This chromosomal anomaly causes intellectual disability, specific phenotypic characteristics, and a combination of systemic conditions [1, 2]. Among the hematological alterations seen are leukemia, transient abnormal myelopoiesis, neutrophilia, and thrombocytopenia with giant platelets [3–7]. Macrocytosis, thrombocytosis, and leukopenia have been reported in older children [8, 9].
Values for the major hematological indicators vary with age and sex [10, 11], but these values have not been described for Mexican children with Down syndrome. The objective of this study is to do so, as well as to describe the non-malignant hematological alterations found in this population.
This study was approved by the Research and Investigation Committees of the National Institute of Pediatrics (Approval No. 2018/025).
Materials and methods
This was an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and retrospective study, carried out in the Down Syndrome Clinic of the National Institute of Pediatrics. Data were taken from the medical charts of patients aged 0-18 years, both sexes, which included complete blood count (CBC) panels as part of their ongoing care, for the period January 2008 to March 2018. The following values were taken from the clinical laboratory database used by this institution (Medsys): hemoglobin, hematocrit, erythrocytes, red cell distribution width (RDW), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, basophils, monocytes, eosinophils, platelets, and mean platelet volume (MPV). CBC analyses were analyzed according to the manufacturer’s specification, with a Beckman Coulter DxH 900 hematology analyzer.
Patients with suspected or confirmed diagnoses of complex cardiopathy or oncological or immunological illness were excluded, as were panels for included patients taken during an infectious process, either during hospitalization or an outpatient visit. Patient records were divided by sex and into five groups by age at the time blood was taken (< 2 years, 2-5 years, 6-11 years, 12-14 years, and 15-18 years), and descriptive statistics were obtained. The following benign hematological alterations were also noted, based on values that were out of the normal range for the patient’s age and sex in the Mexican pediatric population: anemia, macrocytosis, microcytosis, leukocytosis, leukopenia, neutrophilia, neutropenia, lymphocytosis, lymphopenia, eosinophilia, eosinopenia, thrombocytosis, and thrombocytopenia [12].
Results
This study reviewed 496 patient charts from the Down Syndrome Clinic of the National Institute of Pediatrics, 46 subjects were excluded because of incomplete information. Of the remaining 450, 200 were for girls and 250 were for boys. Cytogenic confirmation was performed for 87%, with findings of regular trisomy in 80%, mosaic trisomy in 4%, and translocation trisomy in 3%. A total of 3438 CBC panels were grouped by sex and age at the time the sample was taken. Table 1 shows the number of samples by sex and age; Table 2 summarizes means, standard deviations, and 95% confidence intervals for each indicator by sex and age group. A factorial ANOVA was performed to analyze differences in indicator values by age and sex, and differences were generally found. Table 3 shows the statistical significance of the analysis, which can more easily be visualized graphically in Fig. S1 in Online Resource 1. Hemoglobin increases with age and is greatest in boys. Neutrophils increase and lymphocytes decrease with age. Platelets decrease with age and are slightly higher in boys.
Table 1.
Sample distribution by sex and age
| Sex and age | n | % |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 1953 | 56.8 |
| < 2 years | 473 | 13.8 |
| 2-5 years | 760 | 22.1 |
| 6-11 years | 562 | 16.3 |
| 12-14 years | 115 | 3.3 |
| 15-18 years | 43 | 1.3 |
| Female | 1485 | 43.2 |
| < 2 years | 291 | 8.4 |
| 2-5 years | 519 | 15.1 |
| 6-11 years | 462 | 13.4 |
| 12-14 years | 116 | 3.4 |
| 15-18 years | 97 | 2.8 |
Table 2.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) reference values by sex and age
| Indicator | n | Sex | Age | Mean | Standard Deviation | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hemoglobin (g/dL) | 473 | Male | < 2 | 13.1 | 1.4 | 12.97, 13.23 |
| Hemoglobin (g/dL) | 760 | Male | 2-5 | 14.12 | 1.18 | 14.04, 14.2 |
| Hemoglobin (g/dL) | 562 | Male | 6-11 | 14.66 | 1.08 | 14.57, 14.74 |
| Hemoglobin (g/dL) | 115 | Male | 12-14 | 15.47 | 1.24 | 15.24, 15.7 |
| Hemoglobin (g/dL) | 43 | Male | 15-18 | 15.86 | 0.73 | 15.63, 16.08 |
| Hemoglobin (g/dL) | 291 | Female | < 2 | 13.05 | 1.58 | 12.87, 13.23 |
| Hemoglobin (g/dL) | 519 | Female | 2-5 | 14.05 | 1.15 | 13.95, 14.15 |
| Hemoglobin (g/dL) | 462 | Female | 6-11 | 14.75 | 1.1 | 14.65, 14.85 |
| Hemoglobin (g/dL) | 116 | Female | 12-14 | 15.18 | 0.88 | 15.01, 15.34 |
| Hemoglobin (g/dL) | 97 | Female | 15-18 | 15.27 | 0.87 | 15.1, 15.45 |
| Hematocrit (%) | 473 | Male | < 2 | 39.08 | 4.18 | 38.7, 39.45 |
| Hematocrit (%) | 760 | Male | 2-5 | 41.62 | 3.43 | 41.38, 41.86 |
| Hematocrit (%) | 562 | Male | 6-11 | 43.11 | 3.01 | 42.86, 43.36 |
| Hematocrit (%) | 115 | Male | 12-14 | 45.55 | 3.43 | 44.92, 46.18 |
| Hematocrit (%) | 43 | Male | 15-18 | 46.81 | 2.12 | 46.16, 47.46 |
| Hematocrit (%) | 291 | Female | < 2 | 39.12 | 4,89 | 38.56, 39.69 |
| Hematocrit (%) | 519 | Female | 2-5 | 41.53 | 3.36 | 41.24, 41.82 |
| Hematocrit (%) | 462 | Female | 6-11 | 43.34 | 3.16 | 43.06, 43.63 |
| Hematocrit (%) | 116 | Female | 12-14 | 44.68 | 2.78 | 44.17, 45.19 |
| Hematocrit (%) | 97 | Female | 15-18 | 45.22 | 2.54 | 44.71, 45.73 |
| Erythrocytes (10˄6/μL) | 473 | Male | < 2 | 4.3 | 0.53 | 4.26, 4.35 |
| Erythrocytes (10˄6/μL) | 760 | Male | 2-5 | 4.55 | 0.43 | 4.52, 4.58 |
| Erythrocytes (10˄6/μL) | 562 | Male | 6-11 | 4.64 | 0.38 | 4.61,4.67 |
| Erythrocytes (10˄6/μL) | 115 | Male | 12-14 | 4.88 | 0.36 | 4.81, 4.94 |
| Erythrocytes (10˄6/μL) | 43 | Male | 15-18 | 4.98 | 0.27 | 4.9, 5.06 |
| Erythrocytes (10˄6/μL) | 291 | Female | < 2 | 4.32 | 0.61 | 4.25, 4.39 |
| Erythrocytes (10˄6/μL) | 519 | Female | 2-5 | 4.53 | 0.39 | 4.5, 4.57 |
| Erythrocytes (10˄6/μL) | 462 | Female | 6-11 | 4.62 | 0.37 | 4.59, 4.66 |
| Erythrocytes (10˄6/μL) | 116 | Female | 12-14 | 4.68 | 0.36 | 4.62, 4.74 |
| Erythrocytes (10˄6/μL) | 97 | Female | 15-18 | 4.7 | 0.29 | 4.64, 4.75 |
| RDW (%) | 473 | Male | < 2 | 15.5 | 2.04 | 15.32, 15.69 |
| RDW (%) | 760 | Male | 2-5 | 14.72 | 1.45 | 14.62. 14.82 |
| RDW (%) | 562 | Male | 6-11 | 14.42 | 1.26 | 14.31, 14.52 |
| RDW (%) | 115 | Male | 12-14 | 14.82 | 1.83 | 14.48, 15.15 |
| RDW (%) | 43 | Male | 15-18 | 14.66 | 1.59 | 14.17. 15.15 |
| RDW (%) | 291 | Female | < 2 | 16.1 | 2.94 | 15.76, 16.44 |
| RDW (%) | 519 | Female | 2-5 | 14.68 | 1.61 | 14.54, 14.82 |
| RDW (%) | 462 | Female | 6-11 | 14.06 | 0.95 | 13.97, 14.15 |
| RDW (%) | 116 | Female | 12-14 | 14.05 | 0.87 | 13.89, 14.21 |
| RDW (%) | 97 | Female | 15-18 | 13.93 | 0.77 | 13.77, 14.08 |
| MCV (fL) | 473 | Male | < 2 | 91.17 | 6.09 | 90.62, 91.72 |
| MCV (fL) | 760 | Male | 2-5 | 91.74 | 4.86 | 91.4, 92.09 |
| MCV (fL) | 562 | Male | 6-11 | 93.05 | 4.32 | 92.69, 93.4 |
| MCV (fL) | 115 | Male | 12-14 | 93.48 | 5.16 | 92.53, 94.43 |
| MCV (fL) | 43 | Male | 15-18 | 94.16 | 4.91 | 92.65. 95.67 |
| MCV (fL) | 291 | Female | < 2 | 91.02 | 6.57 | 90.26, 91.78 |
| MCV (fL) | 519 | Female | 2-5 | 91.76 | 4.58 | 91.37, 92.16 |
| MCV (fL) | 462 | Female | 6-11 | 93.87 | 3.56 | 93.55, 94.2 |
| MCV (fL) | 116 | Female | 12-14 | 95.55 | 3.57 | 94.89, 96.21 |
| MCV (fL) | 97 | Female | 15-18 | 96.36 | 3.24 | 95.71, 97.02 |
| MCH (pg) | 473 | Male | < 2 | 30.57 | 2.27 | 30.37. 30.78 |
| MCH (pg) | 760 | Male | 2-5 | 31.13 | 1.9 | 31.0, 31. 27 |
| MCH (pg) | 562 | Male | 6-11 | 31.64 | 1.71 | 31.5, 31.78 |
| MCH (pg) | 115 | Male | 12-14 | 31.75 | 2.11 | 31.36, 32.14 |
| MCH (pg) | 43 | Male | 15-18 | 31.91 | 1.92 | 31.32, 32.5 |
| MCH (pg) | 291 | Female | < 2 | 30.39 | 2.46 | 30.1, 30.67 |
| MCH (pg) | 519 | Female | 2-5 | 31.05 | 1.84 | 30.89, 31.21 |
| MCH (pg) | 462 | Female | 6-11 | 31.95 | 1.48 | 31.82, 32.09 |
| MCH (pg) | 116 | Female | 12-14 | 32.48 | 1.58 | 32.19, 32.77 |
| MCH (pg) | 97 | Female | 15-18 | 32.57 | 1.46 | 32.27, 32.88 |
| MCHC (g/dL) | 473 | Male | < 2 | 33.53 | 0.93 | 33.44, 33.61 |
| MCHC (g/dL) | 760 | Male | 2-5 | 33.93 | 0.84 | 33.87, 33.99 |
| MCHC (g/dL) | 562 | Male | 6-11 | 34 | 0.84 | 33.93, 34.06 |
| MCHC (g/dL) | 115 | Male | 12-14 | 33.95 | 0.85 | 33.8, 34.11 |
| MCHC (g/dL) | 43 | Male | 15-18 | 33.88 | 0.69 | 33.67, 34.09 |
| MCHC (g/dL) | 291 | Female | < 2 | 33.38 | 1.16 | 33.25, 33.51 |
| MCHC (g/dL) | 519 | Female | 2-5 | 33.83 | 0.97 | 33.75, 33.92 |
| MCHC (g/dL) | 462 | Female | 6-11 | 34.03 | 0.73 | 33.97, 34.1 |
| MCHC (g/dL) | 116 | Female | 12-14 | 33.99 | 0.8 | 33.84, 34.13 |
| MCHC (g/dL) | 97 | Female | 15-18 | 33.79 | 0.73 | 33.64, 33.94 |
| Leukocytes (10˄3/μL) | 473 | Male | < 2 | 6.86 | 1.72 | 6.7, 7.01 |
| Leukocytes (10˄3/μL) | 760 | Male | 2-5 | 6.32 | 1.74 | 6.2, 6.44 |
| Leukocytes (10˄3/μL) | 562 | Male | 6-11 | 5.79 | 1.67 | 5.65, 5.93 |
| Leukocytes (10˄3/μL) | 115 | Male | 12-14 | 5.17 | 1.74 | 4.85, 5.49 |
| Leukocytes (10˄3/μL) | 43 | Male | 15-18 | 6.08 | 1.79 | 5.53, 6.63 |
| Leukocytes (10˄3/μL) | 291 | Female | < 2 | 6.87 | 2.03 | 6.64, 7.11 |
| Leukocytes (10˄3/μL) | 519 | Female | 2-5 | 6.02 | 1.71 | 5.88, 6.17 |
| Leukocytes (10˄3/μL) | 462 | Female | 6-11 | 5.46 | 1.65 | 5.31, 5.61 |
| Leukocytes (10˄3/μL) | 116 | Female | 12-14 | 6.09 | 1.82 | 5.76, 6.43 |
| Leukocytes (10˄3/μL) | 97 | Female | 15-18 | 6.23 | 1.64 | 5.9, 6.56 |
| Neutrophils (%) | 473 | Male | < 2 | 42.69 | 15.17 | 41.32, 44.06 |
| Neutrophils (%) | 760 | Male | 2-5 | 50.43 | 14.36 | 49.41, 51.46 |
| Neutrophils (%) | 562 | Male | 6-11 | 52.,53 | 12.69 | 51.48, 53.58 |
| Neutrophils (%) | 115 | Male | 12-14 | 53.04 | 12.43 | 50.74, 55.34 |
| Neutrophils (%) | 43 | Male | 15-18 | 55.19 | 9.15 | 52.37, 58.0 |
| Neutrophils (%) | 291 | Female | < 2 | 42.34 | 16.99 | 40.38, 44.3 |
| Neutrophils (%) | 519 | Female | 2-5 | 49.94 | 14.47 | 48.7, 51.19 |
| Neutrophils (%) | 462 | Female | 6-11 | 54.19 | 11.98 | 53.1, 55.29 |
| Neutrophils (%) | 116 | Female | 12-14 | 57.77 | 11.95 | 55.57, 59.97 |
| Neutrophils (%) | 97 | Female | 15-18 | 57.76 | 11.28 | 55.48, 60.03 |
| Lymphocytes (%) | 473 | Male | < 2 | 46.02 | 13.9 | 44.76, 47.27 |
| Lymphocytes (%) | 760 | Male | 2-5 | 38.92 | 13.21 | 37.98, 39.86 |
| Lymphocytes (%) | 562 | Male | 6-11 | 37.0 | 12.41 | 35.97, 38.03 |
| Lymphocytes (%) | 115 | Male | 12-14 | 36.27 | 11.89 | 34.08, 38.47 |
| Lymphocytes (%) | 43 | Male | 15-18 | 34.55 | 8.8 | 31.84, 37.26 |
| Lymphocytes (%) | 291 | Female | < 2 | 46.59 | 15.53 | 44.79, 48.38 |
| Lymphocytes (%) | 519 | Female | 2-5 | 40.13 | 13.35 | 38.98, 41.28 |
| Lymphocytes (%) | 462 | Female | 6-11 | 35.8 | 11.27 | 34.78, 36.84 |
| Lymphocytes (%) | 116 | Female | 12-14 | 32.38 | 11.55 | 30.26, 34.51 |
| Lymphocytes (%) | 97 | Female | 15-18 | 32.44 | 10.87 | 30.25, 34.63 |
| Monocytes (%) | 473 | Male | < 2 | 8.52 | 3.8 | 8.17, 8.86 |
| Monocytes (%) | 760 | Male | 2-5 | 8.22 | 3.15 | 8.0, 8.44 |
| Monocytes (%) | 562 | Male | 6-11 | 8.09 | 2.47 | 7.89, 8.3 |
| Monocytes (%) | 115 | Male | 12-14 | 8.3 | 2.39 | 7.86, 8.74 |
| Monocytes (%) | 43 | Male | 15-18 | 8.5 | 2.19 | 7.83, 9.17 |
| Monocytes (%) | 291 | Female | < 2 | 8.62 | 4.29 | 8.13, 9.12 |
| Monocytes (%) | 519 | Female | 2-5 | 7.7 | 2.86 | 7.45, 7.95 |
| Monocytes (%) | 462 | Female | 6-11 | 7.75 | 2.39 | 7.53, 7.97 |
| Monocytes (%) | 116 | Female | 12-14 | 7.66 | 2.0 | 7.3, 8.03 |
| Monocytes (%) | 97 | Female | 15-18 | 7.54 | 1.76 | 7.19, 7.9 |
| Eosinophils (%) | 473 | Male | < 2 | 1.9 | 1.91 | 1.73, 2.07 |
| Eosinophils (%) | 760 | Male | 2-5 | 1.69 | 1.83 | 1.56, 1.82 |
| Eosinophils (%) | 562 | Male | 6-11 | 1.55 | 1.11 | 1.45, 1.64 |
| Eosinophils (%) | 115 | Male | 12-14 | 1.54 | 1.22 | 1.32, 1.77 |
| Eosinophils (%) | 43 | Male | 15-18 | 1.04 | 0.75 | 0.81, 1.27 |
| Eosinophils (%) | 291 | Female | < 2 | 1.51 | 1.64 | 1.32, 1.7 |
| Eosinophils (%) | 519 | Female | 2-5 | 1.48 | 1.57 | 1.34, 1.61 |
| Eosinophils (%) | 462 | Female | 6-11 | 1.47 | 1.61 | 1.32, 1.61 |
| Eosinophils (%) | 116 | Female | 12-14 | 1.44 | 0.97 | 1.26, 1.62 |
| Eosinophils (%) | 97 | Female | 15-18 | 1.54 | 1.11 | 1.32, 1.76 |
| Basophils (%) | 473 | Male | < 2 | 0.73 | 0.72 | 0.67, 0.8 |
| Basophils (%) | 760 | Male | 2-5 | 0.78 | 0.59 | 0.74, 0.82 |
| Basophils (%) | 562 | Male | 6-11 | 0.81 | 0.46 | 0.77, 0.85 |
| Basophils (%) | 115 | Male | 12-14 | 0.85 | 0.41 | 0.77, 0.92 |
| Basophils (%) | 43 | Male | 15-18 | 0.72 | 0.3 | 0.63, 0.81 |
| Basophils (%) | 291 | Female | < 2 | 0.72 | 0.82 | 0.63, 0.82 |
| Basophils (%) | 519 | Female | 2-5 | 0.71 | 0.68 | 0.65, 0.77 |
| Basophils (%) | 462 | Female | 6-11 | 0.72 | 0.43 | 0.68, 0.76 |
| Basophils (%) | 116 | Female | 12-14 | 0.69 | 0.42 | 0.61, 0.76 |
| Basophils (%) | 97 | Female | 15-18 | 0.72 | 0.38 | 0.65, 0.8 |
| Neutrophils (10˄3/μL) | 473 | Male | < 2 | 2.99 | 1.49 | 2.86, 3.13 |
| Neutrophils (10˄3/μL) | 760 | Male | 2-5 | 3.26 | 1.51 | 3.15, 3.37 |
| Neutrophils (10˄3/μL) | 562 | Male | 6-11 | 3.09 | 1.35 | 2.98, 3.2 |
| Neutrophils (10˄3/μL) | 115 | Male | 12-14 | 2.84 | 1.4 | 2.58, 3.1 |
| Neutrophils (10˄3/μL) | 43 | Male | 15-18 | 3.45 | 1.41 | 3.01, 3.88 |
| Neutrophils (10˄3/μL) | 291 | Female | < 2 | 3.0 | 1.65 | 2.81, 3.19 |
| Neutrophils (10˄3/μL) | 519 | Female | 2-5 | 3.11 | 1.56 | 2.97, 3.24 |
| Neutrophils (10˄3/μL) | 462 | Female | 6-11 | 3.05 | 1.44 | 2.92, 3.18 |
| Neutrophils (10˄3/μL) | 116 | Female | 12-14 | 3.57 | 1.5 | 3.3, 3.85 |
| Neutrophils (10˄3/μL) | 97 | Female | 15-18 | 3.68 | 1.41 | 3.4, 3.96 |
| Lymphocytes (10˄3/μL) | 473 | Male | < 2 | 3.1 | 1.14 | 3.0, 3.2 |
| Lymphocytes (10˄3/μL) | 760 | Male | 2-5 | 2.41 | 1.0 | 2.34, 2.48 |
| Lymphocytes (10˄3/μL) | 562 | Male | 6-11 | 2.11 | 0.93 | 2.03, 2.19 |
| Lymphocytes (10˄3/μL) | 115 | Male | 12-14 | 1.8 | 0.72 | 1.66, 1.93 |
| Lymphocytes (10˄3/μL) | 43 | Male | 15-18 | 2.02 | 0.56 | 1.85, 2.19 |
| Lymphocytes (10˄3/μL) | 291 | Female | < 2 | 3.13 | 1.26 | 2.99, 3.28 |
| Lymphocytes (10˄3/μL) | 519 | Female | 2-5 | 2.34 | 0.9 | 2.26, 2.41 |
| Lymphocytes (10˄3/μL) | 462 | Female | 6-11 | 1.88 | 0.68 | 1.82, 1.95 |
| Lymphocytes (10˄3/μL) | 116 | Female | 12-14 | 1.94 | 0.93 | 1.76, 2.1 |
| Lymphocytes (10˄3/μL) | 97 | Female | 15-18 | 1.95 | 0.66 | 1.82, 2.08 |
| Monocytes (10˄3/μL) | 473 | Male | < 2 | 0.57 | 0.29 | 0.55, 0.6 |
| Monocytes (10˄3/μL) | 760 | Male | 2-5 | 0.51 | 0.22 | 0.49, 0.52 |
| Monocytes (10˄3/μL) | 562 | Male | 6-11 | 0.46 | 0.18 | 0.44, 0.48 |
| Monocytes (10˄3/μL) | 115 | Male | 12-14 | 0.42 | 0.16 | 0.39, 0.45 |
| Monocytes (10˄3/μL) | 43 | Male | 15-18 | 0.51 | 0.2 | 0.45, 0.57 |
| Monocytes (10˄3/μL) | 291 | Female | < 2 | 0.58 | 0.31 | 0.54, 0.61 |
| Monocytes (10˄3/μL) | 519 | Female | 2-5 | 0.45 | 0.2 | 0.43, 0.47 |
| Monocytes (10˄3/μL) | 462 | Female | 6-11 | 0.41 | 0.15 | 0.4, 0.42 |
| Monocytes (10˄3/μL) | 116 | Female | 12-14 | 0.46 | 0.17 | 0.43, 0.49 |
| Monocytes (10˄3/μL) | 97 | Female | 15-18 | 0.46 | 0.16 | 0.43, 0.49 |
| Eosinophils (10˄3/μL) | 473 | Male | < 2 | 0.13 | 0.14 | 0.12, 0.14 |
| Eosinophils (10˄3/μL) | 760 | Male | 2-5 | 0.1 | 0.12 | 0.09, 0.11 |
| Eosinophils (10˄3/μL) | 562 | Male | 6-11 | 0.09 | 0.07 | 0.08, 0.09 |
| Eosinophils (10˄3/μL) | 115 | Male | 12-14 | 0.08 | 0.07 | 0.07, 0.09 |
| Eosinophils (10˄3/μL) | 43 | Male | 15-18 | 0.06 | 0.05 | 0.05, 0.08 |
| Eosinophils (10˄3/μL) | 291 | Female | < 2 | 0.1 | 0.12 | 0.09. 0.11 |
| Eosinophils (10˄3/μL) | 519 | Female | 2-5 | 0.08 | 0.09 | 0.07, 0.09 |
| Eosinophils (10˄3/μL) | 462 | Female | 6-11 | 0.08 | 0.09 | 0.07, 0.08 |
| Eosinophils (10˄3/μL) | 116 | Female | 12-14 | 0.08 | 0.05 | 0.07, 0.09 |
| Eosinophils (10˄3/μL) | 97 | Female | 15-18 | 0.09 | 0.07 | 0.08, 0.11 |
| Basophils (10˄3/μL) | 473 | Male | < 2 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.04, 0.05 |
| Basophils (10˄3/μL) | 760 | Male | 2-5 | 0.05 | 0.04 | 0.04, 0.05 |
| Basophils (10˄3/μL) | 562 | Male | 6-11 | .05 | 0.03 | 0.04, 0.05 |
| Basophils (10˄3/μL) | 115 | Male | 12-14 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.04, 0.05 |
| Basophils (10˄3/μL) | 43 | Male | 15-18 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.04, 0.05 |
| Basophils (10˄3/μL) | 291 | Female | < 2 | 0.05 | 0.06 | 0.04, 0.06 |
| Basophils (10˄3/μL) | 519 | Female | 2-5 | 0.04 | 0.05 | 0.04, 0.05 |
| Basophils (10˄3/μL) | 462 | Female | 6-11 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.04, 0.04 |
| Basophils (10˄3/μL) | 116 | Female | 12-14 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.03, 0.04 |
| Basophils (10˄3/μL) | 97 | Female | 15-18 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.04, 0.05 |
| Platelets (10˄3/μL) | 473 | Male | < 2 | 324.43 | 81.37 | 317.1, 331.8 |
| Platelets (10˄3/μL) | 760 | Male | 2-5 | 306.62 | 70.98 | 301.6, 311.7 |
| Platelets (10˄3/μL) | 562 | Male | 6-11 | 293.89 | 65.54 | 288.5, 299.3 |
| Platelets (10˄3/μL) | 115 | Male | 12-14 | 272.24 | 56.53 | 261.8, 282.7 |
| Platelets (10˄3/μL) | 43 | Male | 15-18 | 266.56 | 59.88 | 248.1, 285 |
| Platelets (10˄3/μL) | 291 | Female | < 2 | 310.44 | 86.61 | 300.5, 320.4 |
| Platelets (10˄3/μL) | 519 | Female | 2-5 | 300.01 | 76.16 | 293.4, 306.6 |
| Platelets (10˄3/μL) | 462 | Female | 6-11 | 280.16 | 66.36 | 274.1, 286.2 |
| Platelets (10˄3/μL) | 116 | Female | 12-14 | 260.3 | 65.9 | 248.2, 272.4 |
| Platelets (10˄3/μL) | 97 | Female | 15-18 | 255.16 | 64.45 | 242.2, 268.2 |
| MPV (fL) | 473 | Male | < 2 | 7.79 | 0.83 | 7.71, 7.86 |
| MPV (fL) | 760 | Male | 2-5 | 7.44 | 0.74 | 7.39, 7.5 |
| MPV (fL) | 562 | Male | 6-11 | 7.53 | 0.64 | 7.48, 7.58 |
| MPV (fL) | 115 | Male | 12-14 | 7.69 | 0.65 | 7.57, 7.81 |
| MPV (fL) | 43 | Male | 15-18 | 7.78 | 0.8 | 7.54, 8.03 |
| MPV (fL) | 291 | Female | < 2 | 7.79 | 0.91 | 7.68, 7.89 |
| MPV (fL) | 519 | Female | 2-5 | 7.39 | 0.69 | 7.33, 7.45 |
| MPV (fL) | 462 | Female | 6-11 | 7.39 | 0.6 | 7.33, 7.44 |
| MPV (fL) | 116 | Female | 12-14 | 7.58 | 0.57 | 7.48, 7.68 |
| MPV (fL) | 97 | Female | 15-18 | 7.63 | 0.58 | 7.51, 7.74 |
Abbreviations: RDW Red cell distribution width, MCV Mean corpuscular volume, MCH Mean corpuscular hemoglobin, MCHC Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, MPV Mean platelet volume
Table 3.
Differences by sex and age in CBC values
| Indicator | Sex p |
Age p |
Sex*Age p |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemoglobin (g/dL) | 0.003 | <0.001 | 0.016 |
| Hematocrit (%) | 0.011 | <0.001 | 0.032 |
| Erythrocytes (10˄6/μL) | <0.001 | <0.001 | <0.001 |
| RDW (%) | 0.002 | <0.001 | <0.001 |
| MCV (fL) | <0.001 | <0.001 | 0.002 |
| MCH (pg) | 0.003 | <0.001 | 0.001 |
| MCHC (g/dL) | 0.249 | <0.001 | 0.197 |
| Leukocytes (10˄3/μL) | 0.301 | <0.001 | <0.001 |
| Neutrophils (%) | 0.021 | <0.001 | 0.043 |
| Lymphocytes (%) | 0.098 | <0.001 | 0.026 |
| Monocytes (%) | 0.002 | <0.001 | 0.149 |
| Eosinophils (%) | 0.471 | 0.025 | 0.043 |
| Basophils (%) | 0.032 | 0.686 | 0.438 |
| Neutrophils (10˄3/μL) | 0.038 | 0.001 | 0.001 |
| Lymphocytes (10˄3/μL) | 0.432 | <0.001 | 0.024 |
| Monocytes (10˄3/μL) | 0.187 | <0.001 | 0.002 |
| Eosinophils (10˄3/μL) | 0.313 | <0.001 | 0.036 |
| Basophils (10˄3/μL) | 0.147 | <0.001 | 0.259 |
| Platelets (10˄3/μL) | 0.002 | <0.001 | 0.77 |
| MPV (fL) | 0.012 | <0.001 | 0.318 |
Analysis: Factorial ANOVA
Table 4 shows the hematological alterations found, with reference to the reported ranges by age group for the Mexican population [12]. These included 129 samples (3.8%) with a diagnosis of anemia, of which 11 were microcytic, 60 macrocytic, and the rest normocytic. Of particular note is the high frequency of elevated mean corpuscular volume, which was seen in 2076 samples (60.4%), most without anemia or polycythemia. The white blood cell series showed leukopenia in 368 samples (10.7%), lymphopenia in 807 (23.5%), eosinopenia in 341 (9.9%), basophilia in 274 (8%), neutrophilia in 226 (6.6%), and neutropenia in 118 (3.4%). Thrombocytosis was found in 350 (10.2%) and thrombocytopenia in 71 (2.1%).
Table 4.
Hematological alterations
| Alteration | n | % |
|---|---|---|
| Anemia | 129 | 3.8 |
| Microcytosis | 29 | 0.8 |
| Macrocytosis | 2076 | 60.4 |
| Hyperchromia | 427 | 12.4 |
| Hypochromia | 79 | 2.3 |
| Leukocytosis | 10 | 0.3 |
| Leukopenia | 368 | 10.7 |
| Lymphopenia | 807 | 23.5 |
| Eosinopenia | 341 | 9.9 |
| Basophilia | 274 | 8 |
| Neutrophilia | 226 | 6.6 |
| Neutropenia | 118 | 3.4 |
| Thrombocytopenia | 71 | 2.1 |
| Thrombocytosis | 350 | 10.2 |
Tables S1 and S2 in Online Resource 2 show the percentiles by age and sex for the different indicators.
Discussion
CBC panel is one of the most common used diagnostic tests in medical practice. When we review it, we should consider that pediatric reference values are different than those for adults, and that they will vary with such factors as age, sex, and height. We should also consider that the reference values include 95% of the “normal” population: that is, the populational mean ± 1.96 standard deviations. Values outside this range do not always imply pathology [13]. Studies have been conducted to determine the CBC reference ranges for the Mexican pediatric population, but there has been no study to determine these ranges for the population with Down syndrome.
Among the systemic alterations associated with Down syndrome are hematological problems. Newborns with Down syndrome have a greater risk for transient neonatal leukemia, known as transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM), characterized by circulating blasts with morphological and phenotypic characteristics of leukemic cells. TAM is estimated to occur in approximately 10% of newborns with Down syndrome. Although it is transient, a small number develop serious or even fatal complications such as hepatic fibrosis or edema, and 20% of those who recover from TAM develop acute megakaryoblastic leukemia [5].
Newborns with Down syndrome may have normal blood counts, although they can show subtle anomalies and dysplastic characteristics of the white corpuscles, platelets, and red corpuscles. These characteristics are often described as incidental findings. Although they are probably not clinically important, the early recognition of non-malignant alterations in these patients is important. To date there are no reference values for different age groups in this population; those reported for the general population have been used in an arbitrary way.
Other hematological alterations that have been found in newborns with Down syndrome include neutrophilia, thrombocytopenia, and polycythemia, with incidences of 80, 66, and 34%, respectively, reported by Henry et al. [7]. These anomalies generally have a benign clinical course and resolve spontaneously at three weeks of age [3]. The neutrophilia is slight, rarely over 30.000/μL, and is not associated with an infection. The thrombocytopenia is also slight, the majority with platelet counts < 150,000/μL, and is not associated with hemorrhage. Kivivuori et al. [9]. carried out a prospective follow-up study of the platelet counts of twenty-five newborns with Down syndrome during their first year of life and found that thrombocytopenia is generally brief, resolves itself in the first few weeks, and is later replaced by thrombocytosis. Polycythemia is usually slight, and only some presented cyanosis, which is corrected with partial exchange transfusion. It is usually independent of the heart defects and hypoxia that are often associated with this condition.
Our study included only twenty-six newborns; none of them presented polycythemia, only one with neutrophilia (3.8%), and three with thrombocytopenia (11.5%), a contrast with the findings of Henry et al. [7]. However, the small size of our sample in this age group must be considered.
At later ages, anemia, macrocytosis, and leukopenia were common in our sample, at levels like those previously reported by Roizen and Kivivuori [8, 9]. High levels of mean corpuscular volume have been reported in patients with Down syndrome at all ages. David et al. [14]. found no underlying cause for macrocytosis and postulated an altered folate remethylation path as an effect of greater cystathionine-β-synthase activity. Our findings coincide with these studies. Evaluation of a patient with anemia should consider its possible underestimation due to macrocytosis, and consider the use of other tools, such as analysis of folates, vitamin B12, and iron for greater diagnostic certainty.
Finally, we observed some hematological alterations not previously reported for patients with Down syndrome: lymphopenia, eosinopenia, basophilia, neutrophilia, and neutropenia. Although these have no clinical significance, they should be monitored.
Conclusion
This study provides us with a broader overview of the parameters that should be considered in the analysis of blood counts for the pediatric population with Down syndrome. We believe it can be taken as a reference for evaluation and routine follow-up, as well as a reminder that these patients may have non-malignant hematological alterations that require monitoring.
Supplementary Information
Acknowledgments
None.
Authors’ contributions
All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Conceptualization and data curation was performed by Karla Adney Flores Arizmendi, investigations were done by Yessica Yuliana Guerrero Tapia, analysis by Silvestre García de la Puente, writing - review and editing by Silvestre García de la Puente, Norma Candelaria López Santiago and Tania Tonantzin Vargas Robledo. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Silvestre García de la Puente and Tania Tonantzin Vargas Robledo. All authors read an approved the manuscript.
Funding
This work received financial support from Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, project 2018/025.
Availability of data and materials
All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article [and its supplementary information files].
Declarations
Ethics approval and consent to participate
This work was carried out in accordance with the World Medical Association’s Helsinki Declaration, with Approval No. 2018/025 from the Research and Research Ethics Boards of the National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico City, Mexico, registered as IRB00008064 and IRB00008065 with the Office for Human Research Protection of the NIH (http://ohrp.cit.nih.gov/search/search.aspx). A copy of the approval is available upon request. Informed assent (where possible) of participants and the written informed consent of parents or guardians was obtained.
Competing interests
None.
Footnotes
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
References
- 1.Bull MJ, Saal HM, Braddock SR, et al. Clinical report - health supervision for children with Down syndrome. Pediatrics. 2011;128(2):393–406. doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-1605. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.de Salud S. Atención Integral de la persona con Síndrome de Down. 2007. [Google Scholar]
- 3.Choi JK. Hematopoietic disorders in Down syndrome. Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2008;1(5):387–395. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 4.Webb D, Roberts I, Vyas P. Haematology of Down syndrome. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2007;92(6):F503–F507. doi: 10.1136/adc.2006.104638. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 5.Bin Ali TA. Hematological manifestation in Down syndrome. Int J Biotechnol Bioeng. 2017. 10.25141/2475-3432-2017-6.0165.
- 6.Bhatnagar N, Nizery L, Tunstall O, Vyas P, Roberts I. Transient abnormal Myelopoiesis and AML in Down syndrome: an update. Curr Hematol Malig Rep. 2016;11(5):333–341. doi: 10.1007/s11899-016-0338-x. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 7.Henry E, Walker D, Wiedmeier SE, Christensen RD. Hematological abnormalities during the first week of life among neonates with Down syndrome: data from a multihospital healthcare system. Am J Med Genet Part A. 2007;143A(1):42–50. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.31442. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 8.Roizen NJ, Amarose AP. Hematologic abnormalities in children with Down syndrome. Am J Med Genet. 1993;46(5):510–512. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.1320460509. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 9.Kivivuori SM, Rajantie J, Siimes MA. Peripheral blood cell counts in infants with Down’s syndrome. Clin Genet. 1996;49(1):15–19. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.1996.tb04318.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 10.López-Santiago N. La biometría hemática. Acta Pediatr Mex. 2016;37(4):241-246–241-249. doi: 10.18233/APM37NO4PP246-249. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
- 11.Díaz de Heredia C, Bastida P. Interpretación del hemograma pediátrico. An Pediatría Contin. 2004;2(5):291–296. doi: 10.1016/s1696-2818(04)71658-3. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
- 12.Díaz PP, Olay FG, Hernández GR, Cervantes-Villagrana D, Presno-Bernal JM, Alcántara GLE. Determinación de los intervalos de referencia de biometría hemática en población mexicana. Rev Latinoamer Patol Clin. 2012;59(4):243–250. [Google Scholar]
- 13.Huerta Aragonés J, Cela de Julián E. Hematología práctica: interpretación del hemograma. En: AEPap (ed.). Congreso de Actualización Pediatría 2020. Madrid: Lúa Ediciones 3.0; 2020. p. 591-609.
- 14.David O, Fiorucci CC, Tosi MT, Altare F, Valori A. Hematological studies in children with Down syndrome. 1996;13(3):271–275. doi: 10.3109/08880019609030827. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Associated Data
This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.
Supplementary Materials
Data Availability Statement
All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article [and its supplementary information files].