Abstract:
This is an experimental study, conducted at Giad Specialized Hospital during a period of
time from April to August 2013 . Fifty blood samples were taken from apparently
healthy workers at Giad Specialized Hospital. The initial environmental temperature was
determined using a mercury thermometer .Five ml was collected from each participant,
then divided into two EDTA containers, 2.5ml for each container. CBC test was carried
out immediately after collection at initial environmental temperature ranged between
(22 0 c to 25 0 c). The two containers of each blood sample were stored at either 37 0 c or
40 0 c for 24 hours in a waterbath, then CBC test was performed and the hematological
parameters were determined. The results showed that, most of hematological parameters
decreased with storage at 37
0
c and 40
0
c compared to initial values. MCV increased
significantly (88.82 fl ± 6.875) ( p-value < 0.05), and (96.38 fl ± 7.17) (p-value =0.000) ,
when stored at 37
0
c and 40
0
c respectively, compared to (77.28 fl± 6.06) at initial
environmental temperature. HCT and MCH also significantly increased ( p-value < 0.05)
when stored at 37
0
c and 40
0
c for 24 hours.MCHC significantly decreased at both
storage temperature. RBCs and platelets count showed insignificant decrease when stored
at 37
0
c but decreased significantly at 40 0c for 24 hours ( p-value= 0.02 and 0.04,
respectively ) . WBCs and Hb were insignificantly decreased when stored at either 37 0 c
or 40 0 c for 24 hours.
According to the results of the present study, it is important to measure complete blood
count test immediately after collection.
