The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has shortlisted 11 medical institutions across the country for a nationwide study aimed at defining what is medically “normal” for Indian children and adolescents. This initiative is expected to significantly enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve treatment decisions in pediatric care.
Addressing the Limitations of Western Reference Ranges
Currently, clinicians in India often rely on reference ranges for blood tests and other investigations that are derived from Western populations. However, experts note that these values may not accurately reflect the health profiles of Indian children. Consequently, this mismatch can sometimes lead to misinterpretation of test results.
To bridge this critical gap, the new ICMR-led study will generate India-specific reference values tailored to the unique health characteristics of Indian children and adolescents.
Why India-Specific Reference Values Matter
“These reference values play a vital role in helping doctors determine whether a child’s test result falls within a healthy range or requires medical intervention,” said Dr. Tushar Sehgal, in charge of the hematology section in the Department of Laboratory Medicine at AIIMS and one of the principal investigators of the study.
Emphasizing the importance of population-specific data, Dr. Sehgal explained, “Children are not small adults, and Indian children are shaped by distinct genetic, nutritional, and environmental factors. Using reference values developed for other populations can lead to diagnostic errors.”
Impact of Genetics, Nutrition, and Environment
Dr. Sehgal further noted that so-called “normal” blood test values vary widely depending on geography and nutritional status. For instance, people living at high altitudes naturally have higher haemoglobin levels as their bodies adapt to lower oxygen availability. Therefore, applying uniform global standards may result in unnecessary treatment or, conversely, missed diagnoses.
By developing indigenous reference ranges, clinicians can make more accurate assessments and deliver more appropriate care.
Institutions Participating in the Study
As reported by TOI, the shortlisted institutions include AIIMS campuses in Delhi, Jodhpur, Raipur, Bhopal, Kalyani, and Guwahati, along with NIMHANS and several other leading medical institutes across the country. Together, these centers will contribute to building a robust and representative dataset.
Building Reliable Baselines for Pediatric Care
Under the study framework, researchers will collect health data from healthy children and adolescents. This data will then be used to establish reliable baseline reference values that clinicians and diagnostic laboratories can apply uniformly across India.
Ultimately, the initiative marks a significant step toward evidence-based, child-centric healthcare, ensuring that diagnostic decisions truly reflect the health realities of India’s pediatric population.