Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the haematological profiles of children with and without congenital heart defects at two tertiary institutions. METHODS: The study was a comparative, cross-sectional study involving the consecutive enrolment of 30 children with acyanotic congenital heart disease (ACHD), 30 children with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) and 30 children without CHD. RESULTS: The results revealed that the mean/median levels of haematocrit, PT, INR, TT, protein C, and D-dimer were significantly greater in CCHD patients (HCT: 42.51%, PT: 16.70 s, INR: 1.27, TT: 16.60 s, protein c: 9330.35, D-dimer: 1323.59) than in ACHD patients (HCT: 35.37%, PT: 14.25 s, INR: 1.09, TT: 14.15 s, protein C: 7833.03, D-dimer: 587.08). CONCLUSION: The mean/median levels of the haematological profiles were significantly greater in children with CCHD than those with ACHD and lowest in those without CHD. Haematocrit and oxygen saturation are haematological factors associated with an abnormal haematological profile.