Reference Intervals and Haematology

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on reference intervals, particularly in the context of haematology.

Reference Interval

The recommended terminology that captures 95% of the population including all results from the upper to the lower limit.

Reference Range

A span in statistics that refers to only the upper and lower limits of a given measurement.

Haemoglobin Reference Interval for Adult Females

115 to 160 g/L.

Newborn White Cell Count Reference Interval

Can range from 9 to 34 x 10^9/L.

Physiological Anaemia of Pregnancy

The normal drop in haemoglobin levels during pregnancy.

Reticulocytes

Immature red blood cells that increase in count immediately after birth.

Nadir

The lowest point of haemoglobin, typically observed around three to six months of age in infants.

Neutrophils

The dominant type of white blood cell in adults, important for the immune response.

Gaussian Distribution

A distribution where 95% of the population is within two standard deviations.

Importance of Patient's Age and Sex

Critical factors in determining the appropriate reference interval for haematological testing.