Comparative study of hematological values of school children of both sexes at Dead Sea level and at Amman.

Total red blood cells, hematocrit values, and hemoglobin content of two paired groups of male and two paired groups of female students, aged 10-18 years, at Dead Sea level and at Amman were investigated to find the influence of barometric pressure and ambient temperature on hematological parameters. The tests took place in the winter months of November 1981-February 1982. Each group consisted of 150 subjects. The body weight, and height of these groups of male students ranged between 34.32 kg-63.11 kg, and 142.22 cm-172.36 cm respectively, in Amman; and 30.98 kg-56.55 kg, and 128-181 cm, at Dead Sea level. The same measurements for the groups of female students ranged between 33.60 kg-53.82 kg and 142.92 cm-158.89 cm in Amman, and 32.05 kg-54.60 kg and 141.87 cm-167.09 cm at Dead Sea level. Some of the hematological parameters of these two paired groups such as, body weight and RBC in boys of Amman, and Hb, RBC, PCV and MCHC in girls of Amman were found to be significantly higher than at Dead Sea level, but MCV was significantly higher at Dead Sea level in girls. The mean packed cell volume of male and female students at Amman and Dead Sea level were respectively-42.0, 41.7, 41.6, 40.18%.