Haemoglobin and haematocrit: the threefold conversion is also non valid for assessing anaemia in Plasmodium vivax malaria-endemic settings

Abstract

It has been recently reported that the standard threefold conversion from haematocrit to haemoglobin underestimates the prevalence of anaemia and low levels of haemoglobin in children living in areas endemic for Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The data presented herein describes the experience in a malaria-endemic zone in northeastern Venezuela (state of Sucre), where a similar bias between haematocrit and haemoglobin in patients with Plasmodium vivax infection was found. In summary, the relationship between haematocrit and haemoglobin needs to be specifically evaluated according to each particular region or epidemiological setting.

Malaria in selected non-Amazonian countries of Latin America

“…However, the differences in transmission intensity may explain the differences in clinical manifestations to those reported in Africa. For example, both P. falciparum and P. vivax can cause severe anemia (Rodriguez-Morales et al, 2007), but this appears to be less common in LA than in Africa and other highly endemic settings (Caicedo et al, 2010). In P. falciparum infections, severe anemia is commonly associated with other severe clinical manifestations such as cerebral malaria, hypoglycemia, metabolic acidosis and respiratory distress.…”

Pretreatment Hematocrit Is Superior to Hemoglobin as a Prognostic Factor for Triple Negative Breast Cancer

“…It is a part of a person's complete blood count results, along with hemoglobin concentration[16]. As an important red blood cell parameter, HCT could indicate anemia in individuals and populations [17]. Additionally, a small-scale study demonstrated that low HCT is relevant to a poor survival in a group of surgically treated renal cell carcinoma patients[18].…”

Maternal anaemia and its effects on neonatal anthropometric parameters in patients attending a tertiary care institute of Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India

“…19,[27][28][29]31 Only one study has been done in India regarding validity of this conversion in pregnant females which shows poor correlation of this conversion factor. 30 Therefore the standard 3-fold conversion between the two measures cannot be considered as valid for the assessment of anaemia in the 3 rd trimester pregnancy.…”

“…Various studies have been done on this matter in various countries and they show that the assessment of anaemia using the 3-fold conversion between Hb and Hct has become a debatable issue with some studies showing positive correlation and some showing absence of any correlation. 19,[27][28][29]31 Only one study has been done regarding validity of this conversion in pregnant females which shows poor correlation of this conversion factor. 30 Therefore, before commenting on reliability of this conversion factor and the potential for further improvements in the conversion factor certainly merits further investigation and analysis in pregnancy.…”

“…The literature has highlighted the fact that, it may vary with age, sex, season of survey and disease conditions such as malaria. 18,19,[25][26][27][28][29][30] It could be the case that obtaining a single conversion factor is not feasible, as the relationship depends on the prevalence of anaemia in each population and on the type of anaemia pre-dominating within it. Various studies have been done on this matter in various countries and they show that the assessment of anaemia using the 3-fold conversion between Hb and Hct has become a debatable issue with some studies showing positive correlation and some showing absence of any correlation.…”