Hemoglobin and Its Z Score Reference Intervals in Febrile Children: A Cohort Study of 98,572 Febrile Children

Abstract

Objectives: Febrile disease and age of children were associated with a variation in hemoglobin (Hb) level. Both CRP and Hb serve as laboratory markers that offer valuable insights into a patient’s health, particularly in relation to inflammation and specific medical conditions. Although a direct correlation between CRP and Hb levels is not established, the relationship between these markers has garnered academic attention and investigation. This study aimed to determine updated reference ranges for Hb levels for age and investigated its correlation with CRP in febrile children under the age of 18. Methods: This is a cohort study of in Chang Gung Memorial Hospitals conducted from January 2010 to December 2019. Blood samples were collected from 98,572 febrile children who were or had been admitted in the pediatric emergency department. The parameters of individuals were presented as the mean ± standard deviation or 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles. We also determined the variation of Hb and Z score of Hb between CRP levels in febrile children. Result: We observed that the Hb levels were the highest immediately after birth and subsequently underwent a rapid decline, reaching their lowest point at around 1–2 months of age, and followed by a steady increment in Hb levels throughout childhood and adolescence. In addition, there was a significant and wide variation in Hb levels during the infant period. It revealed a significant association between higher CRP levels and lower Hb levels or a more negative Z score of Hb across all age subgroups. Moreover, in patients with bacteremia, CRP levels were higher, Hb concentrations were lower, and Z scores of Hb were also lower compared to the non-bacteremia group. Furthermore, the bacteremia group exhibited a more substantial negative correlation between CRP levels and a Z score of Hb (r = −0.41, p < 0.001) compared to the non-bacteremia group (r = −0.115, p < 0.049). Conclusion: The study findings revealed that the Hb references varied depending on the age of the children and their CRP levels. In addition, we established new reference values for Hb and its Z scores and explore their relationship with CRP. It provides valuable insights into the Hb status and its potential association with inflammation in febrile pediatric patients.