Distribution of Hematologic Parameters of Complete Blood Count in Anemic and Nonanemic Children in a Mining-Exposed Highland Peruvian Community

Gloria Cruz-Gonzales (), Arístides Hurtado-Concha, Héctor Bejarano-Benites, Hernán Bedoya-Vílchez, Merly Sarabia-Tarrillo, Eliane A. Goicochea-Palomino and Jeel Moya-Salazar ()
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Gloria Cruz-Gonzales: Faculty of Medical Technologist, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Lima 15007, Peru
Arístides Hurtado-Concha: Faculty of Medical Technologist, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Lima 15007, Peru
Héctor Bejarano-Benites: Faculty of Medical Technologist, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Lima 15007, Peru
Hernán Bedoya-Vílchez: Faculty of Medical Technologist, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Lima 15007, Peru
Merly Sarabia-Tarrillo: Faculty of Medical Technologist, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Lima 15007, Peru
Eliane A. Goicochea-Palomino: Faculties of Health Science, Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, Lima 15046, Peru
Jeel Moya-Salazar: Faculty of Medical Technologist, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Lima 15007, Peru

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 11, 1-12

Abstract: Exposure to heavy metals from mining activities has been consistently associated with disruptions in hematologic homeostasis, adversely affecting children’s overall development. We aimed to determine population-specific distributions of hematological markers and to compare anemic and nonanemic children in a mining-exposed highland community. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 156 children aged 3 to 7 years from the Peruvian highlands, using non-probability sampling and following CLSI C28-A3 guidelines for this population. Inclusion criteria were children with complete blood count results and residency in mining-contaminated areas. Blood samples were collected via venipuncture and analyzed with a 3-part Sysmex differential hematology analyzer. The mean WBC count was 10.42 ± 1.76 × 10 3 /µL, with no significant differences between males and females ( p = 0.770). Hematological indices, including RBC, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels, were consistent between sexes. However, significant differences were noted between anemic and nonanemic 3–4-year-old children for RBC (5.56 ± 0.47 vs. 7.06 ± 0.96 × 10 6 /µL) and HCT (33.97 ± 6.89 vs. 35.64 ± 5%) (each p < 0.00001), with lower values in anemic subjects. Also, anemic and nonanemic 5–7-year-old children had significant differences in RBC (5.87 ± 1.02 vs. 7.36 ± 0.79 × 10 6 /µL) and HCT (31.13 ± 1.73 vs. 36.54 ± 4) (each p < 0.00001). Our findings reveal variations in hematological parameter distributions, emphasizing the importance of personalized blood assessments for mining-exposed populations. This approach could enable earlier diagnosis and intervention for anemia among vulnerable pediatric groups.

Keywords: anemia; mining pollution; children; hemoglobin; hematologic tests; pediatrics; Peru (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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