Nucleated red blood cells (absolute)
What it measures, and what changes the number.
Nucleated red blood cells are immature red cells that still contain a nucleus. They normally mature in the bone marrow before entering the bloodstream, and newborns are an exception where they are commonly seen. This line gives the absolute number found in a given volume of blood.
It is reported as part of the complete blood count, next to the same finding expressed relative to white blood cells, and is read with red cell measures such as hemoglobin and reticulocytes. Modern analysers detect these cells and use them to correct the white blood cell count, since older methods could mistake them for white cells.
The figure depends on the analyser technology and may be confirmed on a blood smear. Labs may report it as Eritroblastes absolut.
Often read alongside: Nucleated red blood cells (per 100 WBC), White blood cells, Reticulocytes, Hemoglobin, Red blood cells