IP Journal of Diagnostic Pathology and Oncology 2023;8(1):30–35 Content available at: https://www.ipinnovative.com/open-access-journals IP Journal of Diagnostic Pathology and Oncology Journal homepage: https://www.jdpo.org/ Original Research Article Novel reticulocyte parameters in thalassemia and iron deficiency anemia Kirtijit Chakma 1, *, Rashmi Kuswaha 1 , Geeta Yadav 1 , U.S Singh 1 , Wahid Ali 1 , Ashutosh Kumar 1 , S.P Verma 2 , Nishant Verma 3 , Trideep Jyoti Deori 4 1 Dept. of Pathology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India 2 Dept. of Clinical Hematology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India 3 Dept. of Paediatrics, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India 4 Dept. of Community Medicine, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India ARTICLE INFO Article history: Received 27-07-2022 Accepted 28-01-2023 Available online 29-03-2023 Keywords: HFR Ret-He Immature reticulocyte fractions Iron deficiency anemia Thalassemia Reticulocytes ABSTRACT Introduction: Reticulocytes are immature, non-nucleated RBCs that still contain RNA. It provides useful information about the capacity of the bone marrow to synthesize and release red cells in response to anemia and helps to distinguish between decreased RBC production and enhanced peripheral destruction. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was done between thalassemia and iron deficiency anemia cases. The duration of the study was 1 year where 139 cases were included. In our study, a total of 139 patients are included out of which 94 cases were of Thalassemia and 45 cases of Iron deficiency anemia. Measurement of complete blood count (CBC) with reticulocyte fractions was done in the SYSMEX XN- 550 system and for serum ferritin, Architect iSystem was used. Results: This study demonstrates the cut-off value of IRF for detecting Thalassemia trait as 15.85-21.50%, IDA was >21.50% and for Thalassemia major it was < 15.85%. The LFR% optimum cut-off for detecting Thalassemia trait was estimated to be 83.1-84.2%, IDA <83.1%and for Thalassemia major it was > 84.2%. The MFR% optimum cut-off for detecting Thalassemia trait was estimated to be <12.9%, IDA was >13.25% and for Thalassemia major it was 12.9-13.25%. The HFR% optimum cut-off for detecting Thalassemia trait was estimated to be 2.4-5.3%, IDA was >5.3%and for Thalassemia major it was < 2.4%. Conclusion: The use of new hematological parameters and doing further comparative-based studies will help in differentiating various types of anemia and give knowledge of physiopathology of the underlying disease. This is an Open Access (OA) journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as appropriate credit is given and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms. For reprints contact: reprint@ipinnovative.com 1. Introduction Reticulocytes are immature, non-nucleated red blood cells (RBCs) that still contain ribonucleic acid (RNA). It provides useful information about the capacity of the bone marrow to synthesize and release red cells in response to anemia and helps to distinguish between decreased RBC production and enhanced peripheral destruction. * Corresponding author. E-mail address: kirtymster@gmail.com (K. Chakma). Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and thalassemia trait (TT) are the most common cause of microcytosis and their clinical management is quite different; so, the discrimination between thalassemic and non-thalassemic microcytosis has important implications. 1,2 Microcytosis accompanied by a high RBC count, normal red cell distribution width (RDW) and an elevated level of HbA2 are suggestive of Beta Thalassemia Trait (BTT). 3–5 Microcytosis accompanied by a low ferritin value suggests iron deficiency. 6,7 https://doi.org/10.18231/j.jdpo.2023.006 2581-3714/© 2023 Innovative Publication, All rights reserved. 30