Reference Interval for Body Mass Index, And Vital Signs for Infants, Children, Adolescents, Adults and Geriatric Population of Taita-Taveta County, Kenya
- May 15, 2020
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: Biochemistry, IJRSI
International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VII, Issue V, May 2020 | ISSN 2321–2705
Richard M Gitimu1, 2, Joseph K Gikunju3, Stanley K Waithaka4, and Eliud NM Njagi1
1Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kenyatta University, P.O Box 43844 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
2Department of Laboratory Medicine, Taita Taveta University, P.O Box 635-80300 Voi, Kenya
3Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O Box 62000-00100 Nairobi, Kenya
4Department of Medical laboratory Sciences, Mount Kenya University, P.O Box 342-01000 Thika, Kenya
Abstract:-Vital signs including temperature, pulse and respiratory rate, blood pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation, pain, level of consciousness and urine output are used to assess changes in a patient’s condition, and early signs of clinical deterioration so that treatment can be initiated to correct the associated disease. They are affected by factors such as age, sex, dietary habits, lifestyle, geographical location, socioeconomic status, health status, medications, ethnicity, genetics, and environment. The aim of this study was to establish 95% reference intervals for three vital signs for Taita-Taveta County Kenyan population. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Clinical Chemistry, Moi Subcounty Hospital, Taita-Taveta County, Voi, Kenya between May 2015 and December 2017 and involved 191 males and 317 females for vital signs study, and 125 males and 127 females for BMI study. The age of the referents population was 1-95 years. Vital signs were measured using automatic Mindray monitor and BMI was measured by weighing (kg) each referent individual and taking their height (in metres). Reference intervals were developed using EP28A3c guidelines. Mann-Whitney U test was used to develop reference intervals between males and females, and ANOVA and post-ANOVA test was used to compare the effect of age. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 20. The developed reference intervals for BMI and the vital signs for Taita-Taveta County Kenyan population were different from those reported in medical literature; thus supporting the need for every clinical chemistry laboratory to develop their own reference intervals using their own population.
Key Words: – Body mass index, Vital signs, Infants and children, Adolescent, Adults, Geriatrics
I. INTRODUCTION
Vital signs are measurements that reflect the body’s basic functions and are part of routine patient assessment. Vital signs are surveillance physiological parameters that are used in the early diagnosis of critically ill patients, early detection of a clinically deteriorating patients, and monitoring changes in the critically ill patient’s condition mostly by nurses, and physicians. They include not only the five major vital signs including temperature, pulse rate (heart rate), blood pressure (systolic and diastolic blood pressure), respiration rate (rate of breathing), and oxygen saturation, but also the other three newer vital signs including pain, level of consciousness, and urine output [3]. However, proper interpretation of vital signs requires the use of reliable and accurate reference intervals obtained from referent individuals.
