A Bioinformatics Approach to Pediatric Hematology Reference Intervals

Introduction: Bioinformatics and advances in computer science have transformed the approach to basic and clinical research. Analysis of large clinical databases with data mining methods is an efficient method for knowledge acquisition offering solutions to the ethical and practical restrictions specific to pediatric research. Similarly, application of modern approaches to the interpretation of clinical findings may enhance physicians' decision making.

Methods: In pediatric hematology, interpretation of individual test results is limited by currently available reference intervals, which can only approximate the extensive age- and sex-specific dynamics of childhood. Using a data mining method for reference interval calculation and laboratory data from five pediatric centers, we created percentile charts for hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, red cell count, red cell indices, red cell distribution width, and platelet count.

Results: A web-based application allows evaluation of individual test results and enables a more accurate consideration of pediatric dynamics when interpreting hematology data.