The relationship between the haemoglobin concentration and the haematocrit in Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Abstract Background Malaria is a very important cause of anaemia in tropical countries. Anaemia is assessed either by measurement of the haematocrit or the haemoglobin concentration. For comparisons across studies, it is often necessary to derive one measure from the other. Methods Data on patients...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Malaria Journal
Main Authors: Newton Paul, Mayxay Mayfong, Guthmann Jean-Paul, Dorsey Grant, de Vries Peter J, Day Nicholas PJ, D'Alessandro Umberto, Binh Tran, Ashley Elizabeth, Barnes Karen, Anstey Nicholas, Stepniewska Kasia, Lee Sue J, Nosten Francois, Olliaro Piero, Osario Lyda, Pinoges Loretxu, Price Ric, Rowland Mark, Smithuis Frank, Taylor Robert, White Nicholas J
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: BMC 2008
Subjects:
Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine
RC955-962
Infectious and parasitic diseases
RC109-216
Arctic
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-7-149
https://doaj.org/article/19dd535f33d04f708d88236a9261fcd0
Description
Summary:Abstract Background Malaria is a very important cause of anaemia in tropical countries. Anaemia is assessed either by measurement of the haematocrit or the haemoglobin concentration. For comparisons across studies, it is often necessary to derive one measure from the other. Methods Data on patients with slide-confirmed uncomplicated falciparum malaria were pooled from 85 antimalarial drug trials conducted in 25 different countries, to assess the haemoglobin/haematocrit relationship at different time points in malaria. Using a linear random effects model, a conversion equation for haematocrit was derived based on 3,254 measurements from various time points (ranging from day 0 to day 63) from 1,810 patients with simultaneous measurements of both parameters. Haemoglobin was also estimated from haematocrit with the commonly used threefold conversion. Results A good fit was obtained using Haematocrit = 5.62 + 2.60 * Haemoglobin. On average, haematocrit/3 levels were slightly higher than haemoglobin measurements with a mean difference (± SD) of -0.69 (± 1.3) for children under the age of 5 (n = 1,440 measurements from 449 patients). Conclusion Based on this large data set, an accurate and robust conversion factor both in acute malaria and in convalescence was obtained. The commonly used threefold conversion is also valid.

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