1. What is Corrected WBC Count?

The corrected WBC count accounts for nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) in the peripheral blood. NRBCs are normally excluded from automated WBC counts, but when present in significant numbers, they can falsely elevate the reported WBC count.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• Total WBC — Automated WBC count (cells/μL)
• NRBC — Nucleated red blood cells per 100 WBCs

Explanation: The formula adjusts the total WBC count by removing the contribution of NRBCs to give the true white blood cell count.

3. Importance of Corrected WBC

Details: Correcting the WBC count is crucial when NRBCs are present, as uncorrected counts may lead to inappropriate clinical decisions. NRBCs may appear in conditions like severe hemolysis, bone marrow infiltration, or severe hypoxia.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the automated WBC count in cells/μL and the NRBC count per 100 WBCs. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: When should I correct the WBC count for NRBCs?
A: Correction is needed whenever NRBCs are reported in the differential count, typically when ≥1 NRBC per 100 WBCs is observed.

Q2: What is the clinical significance of NRBCs?
A: NRBCs in peripheral blood may indicate bone marrow stress, severe anemia, hypoxia, or hematologic malignancies.

Q3: How are NRBCs counted?
A: NRBCs are counted during manual differentials and reported as number per 100 WBCs.

Q4: Can this formula be used for any WBC count?
A: Yes, as long as you have both the total WBC count and NRBC count available.

Q5: What if my lab reports NRBCs differently?
A: Some labs report NRBCs as absolute counts. Convert to per 100 WBCs by: (NRBC absolute count × 100) / WBC count.