Review of haematological changes in COVID-19 infections

Abstract

Objectives: Haematological changes occur in most diseases of bacterial and viral origin. An understanding of the haematological changes in patients with COVID-19 will help to predict disease severity and also improve our knowledge of the pathophysiology of the disease. This study aimed to review the haematological changes in patients with COVID-19.

Data sources and synthesis: Four electronic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline and Scopus) were selected and examined for a list of publications written in English. Data extraction from the text, tables and figures in each selected paper was done by a single researcher using a standardized method.

Results: A total of 13 studies published in 2020 were considered for the review in this study. The number of patients included in this study ranged from 12 to 1099. The mean age ranges from 42-70yrs old. Lymphocytopenia ranges from 34(35%) in non-severe cases to 914(83.2%) in severe cases. Median Absolute lymphocyte count ranges from 0.4(0.2-0.8) to 0.89(2.0-2.4) in severe cases to 0.90(0.6-1.2) to 1.30 (0.9-1.7) in non-severe cases. White blood cell count (WBC) >10X109/L was seen in 58(5.9%) to 9(28%). Neutrophilia was seen in 68(34.5%) to 38(38%). Thrombocytopenia ranges from 2(5%) to 63(45.7%). The degree of lymphopenia was associated with the severity of COVID-19.

Conclusion: Lymphopenia was a frequent finding in patient with COVID-19 and can be used as a predictor of severity of the disease. Longer Prothrombin time and significantly higher D-dimer were noted in severe cases than non-severe cases.