THE IMPACT OF AGING ON HEMATOLOGICAL HEALTH: A STUDY OF WBC, PLATELETS, AND LEUKOCYTE COUNTS

Introduction: Hemopoiesis, the formation of blood cells, varies with age, with a shift from active red bone marrow to fatty tissue and a decreased regenerative capacity of hematopoietic stem cells. While aging itself is not a disease, it increases susceptibility to various conditions. This study explores how age affects white blood cell (WBC) and platelet counts, and differential leukocyte counts in males and females. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare WBC and pla Aims: telet counts across different age groups for both genders, and to evaluate differential leukocyte counts between males and females across these age groups. A Methodology: cross-sectional study was conducted over 18 months at Govt. Siddhartha Medical College, involving 300 healthy participants aged 31 to 60 years. Data on WBC and platelet counts were obtained from the central laboratory using a Horiba cell counter. Participants with suspected clinical diseases were excluded. ANOVA was used to assess statistical significance in differences across age groups. The study found an Results: increasing trend in total WBC counts with age for both males and females, with statistically significant differences (p=0.034 for males, p=0.015 for females). Platelet counts did not show a consistent age-related trend. Males had a mean platelet count ranging from 2.86 to 3.02 lakhs/µL (p=0.04), while females ranged from 2.37 to 3.62 lakhs/µL (p=0.09). Differential leukocyte counts showed minor gender-based variations. Conclusion: This study highlights age-related trends in WBC counts, with significant changes observed in both males and females. While platelet counts did not exhibit a clear age-related trend, variations among age groups were significant in males. These findings suggest potential hormonal influences and underscore the need for further research to understand the underlying mechanisms affecting haematological parameters across different ages and genders