ICMR to set India-specific blood test norms for children

Summary: The ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) has directed 11 medical institutions with the task of carrying out a study to determine the normal range for blood tests for Indian children and adolescents.

As of date, the normal range of health parameters is determined by those of the Western population. According to Indian doctors, these parameters may not hold for Indian children, as the environment, lifestyle, genetics and nutritional factors of Indian children differ from those of Western countries.

The reason

ICMR states that using the references of the Western population can lead to errors, which may lead to misdiagnosis or unnecessary treatment.

The study

ICMR has directed 11 medical institutions, i.e. AIIMS Delhi, Jodhpur, Raipur, Bhopal, Kalyani and Gauhati, NIMHANS and other medical institutes, to study the various factors and generate India-specific reference values, which can be used to correctly gauge the health parameters of Indian children.
This study will provide reference values to determine whether the test results of the children are within the normal range or if medical intervention is required. This will rule out the chance of misdiagnosis or delay in treatment.
India is a country with varied landscapes. So, keeping in mind the topography, genetics, lifestyle and environmental factors, the study will be carried out to determine reference values that are specific to the Indian population.
This study will include the collection of data from healthy children and adolescents to formulate a trustworthy baseline that can be used by clinicians all over Indian hospitals and diagnostic laboratories for tests.