Determinants of blood rheology in healthy adults and children using the microchannel array flow analyzer.

PURPOSE

The reference values of blood rheology in healthy participants, especially children, are not available. The purpose of this study was to determine the blood passage time (BPT) as an index of blood rheology, in healthy children and adults, using the microchannel array flow analyzer, and to investigate the hematological factors that define BPT.

METHODS

Participants were 61 healthy children (35 boys, 26 girls; age 5-6 years) and 71 healthy adults (24 men, age 35.2 +/- 14.1 years; 47 women, age 44.7 +/- 14.1 years, mean +/- standard deviation [SD]). Blood passage time and various hematological variables (blood cell count, serum lipids, and fibrinogen) were measured and compared among the 4 study groups.

RESULTS

Blood passage time values were significantly higher in adult men (48.8 +/- 5.8 seconds) than in boys (41.9 +/- 4.0 seconds), girls (43.7 +/- 7.8 seconds), and adult women (42.4 +/- 4.8 seconds). Stepwise regression analysis identified erythrocyte count and hemoglobin (Hb) as the significant and independent determinants of BPT (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates that BPT is significantly longer in healthy adult men than in adult women and children, and that erythrocyte count and Hb are significant determinants of blood rheology.