Afshan Mehboob Khan, Jahan Ara, Durr-e Sameen, Ghulam Abbas, Muhammad Tahir Lakho, Fareena Zaheer.
Comparison of Hematological Parameters of Asthmatic Children: a Comparative Case Control Study.
Pak Paed J Jan ;45(4):425-8.

Objective: This study compared total and differential leucocyte count between asthmatic and non-asthmatic paediatric subjects and within asthmatic subgroups and their correlation with lung function test. Study Design: Case control study Place and Duration of Study: Physiology Department of Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi from October 2014 to April 2015 Material and Methods: Total 88 children of 6-14 years of age, were included in this study. A written proforma was filled and consent was obtained by every participant`s guardian. Subjects were divided into two groups as controls and cases .Cases were further divided into mild and moderate persistent asthmatics. Asthmatics were diagnosed as per guideline of GINA. The children with other pulmonary illnesses were not included in the study. The severity of asthma was assessed by spirometry. Complete blood count was performed by sysmex KX 21. Results: Total leukocyte count (TLC) and eosinophils were increased significantly in case group as compared to controls (p<0.001). Neutrophils and lymphocytes in moderate persistent asthmatics were higher than mild persistent asthmatic cases (p<0.05). Significant negative correlation of FEV1 with TLC (r = -0.325, p value 0.031) and eosinophils (r = -0.353, p value 0.018) were observed. FEV1/FVC% also shows strong negative correlation with eosinophils (r = -0.531, p value <0.001). Conclusion: It was concluded that increased blood inflammatory parameters are the indicators of asthma severity. Their blood levels may be used to assess the diagnosis as well as prognosis of disease.

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