Quick Review Cards for Medical Laboratory Science

Reference Ranges for Red Cell Parameters Hematology Review 290

BIRTH 1–2 MO 1–3 YR 8–13 YR ADULT COMMENTS

RBCs (× 10^12 /L) 4.10–6.10 3.4–5 3.4–5.2 4–5.4 M: 4.6–6

F: 4–5.4

HGB (g/dL) 16.5–21.5 10.6–16.4 9.6–15.6 12–15 M: 14–18 Preterm infants: About 1 g

F: 12–15 lower than full-term

HCT (%) 48–68 32–50 38–48 35–49 M: 40–54

F: 35–49

MCV (fL) 95–125 83–107 78–94 80–94 80–100 Macrocytes 1st 5 days. MCV

higher in preterm infants

RDW (%) 14.2–19.9 11.4–14.5 11.5–14.5 11.5–14.5

Retic (%) 1.5–5.8 0.8–2.8 0.5–1.5 0.5–1.5 0.5–1.5 Newborns: ↑polychromasia

NRBCs (/100 WBCs) 2–24 0 0 0 0 Preterm infants: Up to 25 for

>1 wk

Note trends and comparisons to adult values.