Blood picture of a new born

A fascinating topic!

A blood picture, also known as a complete blood count (CBC), is a laboratory test that measures various components of a newborn's blood. Here's what a typical blood picture of a newborn might look like:

Red Blood Cells (RBCs):

• Count: 4.5-6.5 million/μL (microliters)
• Hemoglobin (Hb): 15-20 g/dL (grams per deciliter)
• Hematocrit (Hct): 45-65%

White Blood Cells (WBCs):

• Count: 5,000-20,000/μL
• Differential count:
  • Neutrophils: 30-60%
  • Lymphocytes: 30-60%
  • Monocytes: 0-10%
  • Eosinophils: 0-5%
  • Basophils: 0-1%

Platelets:

• Count: 100,000-400,000/μL

Other values:

• Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): 100-120 fL (femtoliters)
• Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH): 30-35 pg (picograms)
• Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC): 30-35 g/dL

What these values mean:

• A normal RBC count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit indicate adequate oxygen delivery to the body's tissues.
• A normal WBC count and differential count suggest a healthy immune system.
• A normal platelet count indicates adequate blood clotting function.
• The MCV, MCH, and MCHC values provide information about the size and hemoglobin content of RBCs.

What to look out for:

• Low RBC count or hemoglobin: may indicate anemia, which can be caused by various factors such as maternal-fetal blood incompatibility or fetal-maternal bleeding.
• High WBC count: may indicate infection or inflammation.
• Low platelet count: may indicate thrombocytopenia, which can be caused by various factors such as maternal-fetal bleeding or infection.
• Abnormal RBC indices: may indicate conditions such as iron deficiency anemia or thalassemia.

Keep in mind that these values are general guidelines, and the reference ranges may vary slightly depending on the laboratory and the specific test used. If you have any concerns about your newborn's blood picture, it's always best to consult with your healthcare provider.