Suresh Kumar, Asma Shaikh, Zareen Irshad, Vinita Kumari, Salma Parween, Shahida Kashif.
Comparative study of Mean Corpuscular Volume Between Lacto-vegetarian and Non-vegetarian Populations of Tharparkar Village.
Ann Jinnah Sindh Med Uni Jan ;5(1):21-5.

Objective: Anaemia caused due to micronutrient deficiencies is commonly found in our country. Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) is the average volume of red cells and largely depends upon micronutrients like B12, folic acid, and iron present in diet. Deficiency of these micronutrient, affects MCV and can cause anaemia. This study aimed to compare the MCV of lacto-vegetarian and non-vegetarian adults living in Tharparkar-Sindh village. Methods: Case control analytical descriptive study. One hundred apparently healthy strict lacto-vegetarian and non-vegetarian subjects were selected from the same village of Tharparkar. After written consent and preliminary physical examination, blood samples were collected under sterilized condition in two tubes--one containing EDTA for CBC and the second for serum for B12 and folate. Peripheral smear was made at the research field site and fixed with 70% methanol to maintain cellular morphology. Samples were analyzed for complete blood count, serum B12, and folate. Results: The mean age in vegetarian group was 30.5 years (?8.36) and 30.13(?9.22) in non-vegetarian group. Male to female ratio was 3.4:1. On direct questioning, 54 vegetarians and 24 non-vegetarians agreed to have felt fatigue and lethargy. Most of the subjects in both groups relied on wheat, pulses, vegetables, and milk products as staple food whereas non-vegetarians often consumed eggs and meat as well. In vegetarian group, 83% and in non-vegetarian group, 66% subjects were found to be B12 deficient, while 7% vegetarians and 23% non-vegetarians had low folate level. Nine vegetarians and 22 non-vegetarians were found to be anaemic. A total of 20 vegetarian subjects and 4 non-vegetarian subjects were found with definite high MCV i.e. more than 100. Conclusion: Majority of the vegetarians and more than half of the non-vegetarians had vitamin B12 deficiency while folate levels were normal in most of the subjects of both groups. MCV is a poor indicator of the severity of B12 and folate deficiency anaemia and normal MCV does not exclude B12 or folate deficiency. Clinicians need to be aware of the low sensitivity of the MCV while screening.

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