IFFERENTIAL WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT

The differential WBC count indicates the percentage
of each type of leukocyte present per cubic millimeter of whole blood. If necessary for further evalua-
tion of results, the percentage for each cell type can
be multiplied by the total WBC count to obtain the
absolute number of each cell type present.
Causes of alterations in the differential WBC
count according to type of leukocyte are presented
in Table 1–11. An increase in immature neutrophils
(i.e., bands, stabs) indicates the body’s attempt to
produce more neutrophils in response to the patho-
logical process. A decreased neutrophil count is
fairly common in children during viral infections.
An increase in bands is sometimes referred to as a
“shift to the left.” This terminology derives from the
following traditional headings used on laboratory
slips to report WBC differential results: Bands,
Neutrophils, Eosinophils, Basophils,Monocytes, and
Lymphocytes.
In contrast, the meaning of a “shift to the right” is
less well defined. This may refer to an increase in
neutrophils or other granulocytes or to an increase
in lymphocytes or monocytes.