An automated CBC with differential white blood cell count can determine 32 different hematological parameters. The complete blood count (CBC) includes: hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, RBC indices, platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), and red cell distribution width (RDW).
Hemoglobin, WBC count, RBC count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and platelet count are measured electronically by an automated hematology analyzer. Hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and RDW are calculated.
The number of white blood cells per microliter is part of the routine complete blood count (CBC). Leukocytosis is defined as a WBC greater than 11,000/uL and may be due to a reactive or neoplastic increase in neutrophils, lymphocytes, or, less commonly, monocytes or eosinophils. Leukopenia is defined as a WBC less than 4,000/uL and is usually due to neutropenia.
Total WBC count and absolute differential counts are higher in newborns and decrease until five to ten years of age. There are no significant differences between males and females regarding WBC and differential counts.
Reference range is 4000 to11000 cells/uL in adults. White blood cell counts <1000 and >50,000 are considered critical values.
Specimen requirement is one lavender top (EDTA) tube.
References
Doig K, Thompson LA, A Methodical Approach to Interpreting the White Blood Cell Parameters of the Complete Blood Count, Clin Lab Sci,2017;30(3):186-193.
Longanbach S, Miers MK. Automated blood cell analysis. In: Keohane EM, Smith LJ, Walenga JM, editors. Rodak's Hematology: Clinical Principles and Applications, Ed. 5. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2012.
Gulati G, Uppal G, Gong J. Unreliable Automated Complete Blood Count Results: Causes, Recognition, and Resolution. Ann Lab Med. 2022 Sep 01;42(5):515-530.
Riley LK, Rupert J. Evaluation of Patients with Leukocytosis. Am Fam Physician. 2015 Dec 01;92(11):1004-11
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