Paediatric Reference Intervals

Reference intervals provide valuable information to doctors in their interpretation of laboratory test results, and are important in patient diagnosis and making key clinical decisions. The reference interval serves as a benchmark with which to compare a patient’s test result. Currently, many paediatric laboratory test results are inappropriately interpreted using reference intervals obtained from adult populations, hospitalized paediatric populations, or outdated and/or inaccurate technology. Thus, many paediatric reference intervals used in diagnostic laboratories are incomplete and may not be suitable for clinical use.   Discuss the pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical challenges that can affect the establishment of paediatric reference intervals. Propose how you would overcome those challenges and provide relevant examples. (Your essay should include the rationale for establishing a paediatric reference interval, factors that can affect it and any other considerations that are applicable.)