title: Megaloblastic anaemia in Zimbabwe. II: Diagnostic significance of red cell indices in.
abstract: Studies of red cell indices viz: Rbc count, Hb, Hct ratio, MCV, MCH and MCHC were carried out in normal subjects (n = 62) and in patients with: B12 deficiency (n = 34); folate deficiency (n = 17); and B12 and folate deficiency (n = 18). Although these red cell parameters were diagnostically useful (2P less than 5 x 10(-3)) in distinguishing the patients' groups from the control group; they showed no ability to distinguish the deficient groups from each other. However, their practical and diagnostic significance as screening tests in the local environs is briefly highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, University of Zimbabwe Medical School, Avondale, Harare.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mukiibi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Paul
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000749:Anemia, Megaloblastic / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology