Interindividual Biological Variability of Reticulocytes and Their Maturation Fractions in the Pediatric Population

Objectives: Because published data about the variability of reticulocyte counts in children are scarce, the interindividual biological variability of the automated reticulocyte count and its maturation fractions according to age and sex were analyzed. Methods: A retrospective, observational, analytical study was designed to establish and compare normal values of the automated reticulocyte count and its maturation fractions in different age and sex groups. The sample was drawn from results of CBC counts performed in children aged between 2 months and 18 years using an indirect sampling methodology. Results: A total of 9,362 CBC counts were analyzed. Automated reticulocyte count decreased between 2 months and 3 years of age and slowly increased thereafter, showing higher values in girls up to the age of 9 years, and equalized by sex thereafter. Immature reticulocyte fraction increased until 7 months of age; decreased progressively until 4 years of age; and then showed a discreet but constant rise, with significantly higher values in boys older than 1 year. The lowfluorescence fraction was relatively steady, with significantly higher values in girls aged 8 months and older. Conclusions: The automated reticulocyte count and its maturation fractions show significant variations related to age and sex in pediatric patients.