Reference values for serum protein and electrolyte study from Rwanda.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate reference values of serum proteins and electrolytes in a student population in Butare, Rwanda (altitude: 1768 m; barometric pressure: 629 mm Hg).


METHODS
A laboratory based cross-sectional study.


METHODS
The units of physiology and clinical chemistry, department of medical biology, Butare University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, National University of Rwanda, from February 2002 to May 2003.


METHODS
Young healthy adults were selected randomly from the students of the National University of Rwanda, using Epi-Info 6.04 software.


RESULTS
The results mean and reference range (2.5th-97.5th percentile) in brackets - are as follows: total proteins: male: 7.3 (6.3-8.4) g/dL, female: 7.3 (6.5-8.5) g/dL; albumin: male: 4.3 (3.1-5.2) g/dL, female: 4.1 (3.2-5.0) g/dL; globulins: male: 3.1 (2.0-4.2) g/dL. female: 3.2 (2.1-4.2) g/dL; sodium: male: 138.5 (130-147) mmol/L, female: 139.8 (132-153) mmol/L; potassium: 4.0 (3.1-5.0) mmol/L both in male and in female; chloride: males: 104.4 (96-112) mmol/L, females: 106.1 (98-114) mmol/L; phosphates: male: 1.13 (0.65-1.59) mmol/L, female: 1.17 (0.71-1.52) mmol/L.


CONCLUSIONS
The values of serum proteins and electrolytes are comparable to classical sea level values; however there is a slight increase in serum chloride.
Gahutu
J B
JB
Service of Normal and Pathologic Physiology, Butare University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, National University of Rwanda.
Wane
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012432:Rwanda; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D012712:Serum Globulins / Q000032:analysis; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D001798:Blood Proteins; D004573:Electrolytes; D012709:Serum Albumin; D012712:Serum Globulins