Tsegaye, Aster(MSc, PhD)Tamir, Zemenu(MSc, PhD candidate)Negash, Mikias(MSc, PhD candidate)Fiseha, Mesfin2020-01-302023-11-062020-01-302023-11-062019-12http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/20532This is to certify that the thesis prepared by Mesfin Fiseha, entitled: Determination of Hematological Parameters Reference Intervals among apparently healthy pregnant and non-pregnant women of south wollo zone, Amhara region, Northeast Ethiopia and submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Master of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (Hematology and Immunohematology) complies with the regulations of the University and meets the accepted standards with respect to originality and quality.Background: The physiology of a normal pregnancy involves major alterations in the hematological parameters. However, hematological parameters reference intervals currently being used in Ethiopia is derived from western populations, even though significant variations are reported previously. Objective: To determine hematological parameters reference intervals among apparently healthy pregnant and non-pregnant women of South wollo zone, Amhara region, Northeast Ethiopia. Method: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 600 pregnant and nonpregnant women in South Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Northeast Ethiopia from June to August 2019. Medical history, physical examination and laboratory screening were performed for each study participant. Socio-demographic and other important data were collected using a structured questionnaire. 4ml of Whole blood was collected and Mindary BC-3000 plus hematology analyzer was used to measure hematological parameters following standard procedures. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 23. The mean, median, and 2.5th percentile and 97.5th reference intervals limits with 90% CI were determined for the hematological parameters. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: The established reference intervals (2.5th–97.5th percentile) for pregnant women were: WBC: 4.0-13.2x103/ul; Lymph %: 12.9-38.13 %; Gran %: 50.45-81.54 %; MID %: 4.24-11.64; RBC: 3.45-4.67x106/ul; Hgb: 10.1-13.67 g/dl; HCT: 33.49-46.52 %; MCV: 84.76-103.52 fl; MCH: 27.5-33.0 pg; Platelet count: 131.7-373.15x103/ul; MPV: 7.24- 10.16 fl. A statistical significant difference between pregnant and non-pregnant was noted in all hematological parameters except MCHC. The mean and median value of WBC count, absolute granulocyte count and percentage, MCV, MPV and PDW increased, whereas mean values of HCT and Platelet count decreased as gestational period advance. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that pregnant women hematological parameters reference intervals differ from other studies in Ethiopian and other countries pregnant women reference intervals. Hence, this would signify the necessity for such determinations of local reference intervals for different populations and the health facilities found in south wollo zone should utilized the currently established reference intervals for pregnant women for better care.en-USReference interval, Hematological parameter, pregnant women, trimester, South WolloThesis