Platform
Company
Complete Blood Count
Review status
Currently under review
Pending specialist review and validation.
This test measures the absolute number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that helps fight bacterial and fungal infections, in a sample of cord blood taken at birth. It is performed on an automated analyzer as part of a complete blood count for newborns.
Neutrophils are produced in the bone marrow and are a key part of your baby’s early immune defenses. Measuring them in cord blood provides a snapshot of the baby’s immune cell levels right at delivery, before other factors after birth have much time to influence the count.
Doctors may order an absolute neutrophil count in cord blood when they want an early look at a newborn’s infection risk or bone marrow function. The result can help support decisions about monitoring, additional testing, or treatment if there are concerns such as infection, complications of pregnancy, or conditions that can affect white blood cells.
This test is often interpreted together with other parts of the complete blood count, the baby’s exam, and pregnancy and delivery history. It can help identify patterns seen with early infection, effects of maternal conditions, or adaptation to the stress of labor and delivery.
A higher neutrophil count at birth can be a normal response to labor and delivery or inflammation, while a lower count may be seen with prematurity, certain maternal conditions, or rarely an infection that overwhelms the bone marrow. Your baby’s clinician will interpret the result alongside symptoms, risk factors, and other lab findings.
If the result is unexpected, the care team may repeat the test after birth, monitor your baby more closely, or run additional studies. Most variations resolve as the newborn adapts after delivery. Your clinician will explain whether any follow‑up is needed and what steps, if any, are recommended.
Reference intervals vary by laboratory, analyzer, methodology, population, and units. The ranges shown here are for education only. Always interpret your results against the reference interval printed on your own lab report.
The moment the cord blood is collected and whether delayed cord clamping was used can influence blood volume and cell distribution, which may modestly shift the neutrophil count.
Preterm infants often have lower baseline neutrophil counts, while the stress of labor and delivery can transiently increase counts in term babies.
Pregnancy complications such as hypertension or preeclampsia can be associated with lower neonatal neutrophil counts, while maternal infection or inflammation can raise them.
Maternal corticosteroids given for lung maturation and some other medications can alter white cell release from the bone marrow, changing the newborn’s neutrophil count.
Suspected early‑onset infection can push counts up or, if severe or prolonged, lead to lower counts. Results are interpreted with clinical signs and other tests.
Clotting in the sample, delays before analysis, or instrument flags can affect automated differentials, sometimes requiring a repeat sample or manual review.
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