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Getting results in clinical pathology 3. Influence of age on haematological and biochemical parameters
Author(s) -
Pinches Mark
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
in practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.211
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 2042-7689
pISSN - 0263-841X
DOI - 10.1136/inpract.28.4.208
Subject(s) - physiology , medicine , pathology , reference values , biochemistry , senescence , age groups , clinical pathology , hematology , demography , sociology
WHEN haematological and biochemical results are received by the practitioner they are accompanied by the laboratory's own reference intervals. These reference ranges are derived from analysis of groups of healthy adult animals. Normal physiological changes that occur during growth and senescence can alter some laboratory parameters beyond those of the ‘normal’ adult. These changes have been well characterised in the young, but are vague in the aged animal. This article describes the more common haematological and biochemical findings in immature and aged animals, with reference to the underlying physiology and, in the geriatric, offers some guidance on interpretation when unexpected results are encountered.