Christensen et al used the ratio of MCHC to MCV to identify neonates with hereditary spherocytosis (HS). The authors are from Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City.
Patient selection: neonate
Parameters:
(1) MCHC in pg/cell
(2) MCV in femtoliters
MCHC-to-MCV ratio =
= (MCHC) / (MCV)
Interpretation:
• In hereditary spherocytosis the MCHC tends to be increased and MCV decreased.
• A ratio > 0.36 was 97% sensitive and > 99% specific for hereditary spherocytosis.
Additional findings:
(1) An MCV < 90 fL has a sensitivity of 54% and specificity > 99%.
(2) An MCHC value > 36 is a sensitivity of 54% and specificity > 99%.
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