Normal CBC count in adult and children, babies
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complete blood count reference intervals
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CBC normal reference ranges adult children newborn hemoglobin WBC platelet authoritative
CBC reference ranges vary by laboratory, age, sex, altitude, and whether a baby was born at term. Use the range printed on the laboratory report for interpretation.
| Test | Newborn / baby | Children | Adults |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemoglobin (Hb) | Birth to 6 days: 14.5-22.5 g/dL; 2-6 months: 9.0-14.0 | 2-6 yr: 11.5-13.5; 6-12 yr: 11.5-15.5 | Male: 13.2-17.7 g/dL; Female: 11.9-15.5 g/dL |
| Hematocrit (Hct/PCV) | Birth to 6 days: 45-67%; 2-6 months: 28-42% | 2-6 yr: 34-40%; 6-12 yr: 35-45% | Male: 40-52%; Female: 35-47% |
| RBC count | Birth to 6 days: 4.0-6.6 million/µL | Usually 3.9-5.3 million/µL | Male: 4.5-6.2 million/µL; Female: 4.0-5.2 million/µL |
| Total WBC count | Day 0-1: 9-30 × 10³/µL; 1-4 weeks: 5-21 × 10³/µL; 1 month-1 yr: 6-17.5 × 10³/µL | 1-2 yr: 5-15.5; 2-6 yr: 6-15.5; 6-10 yr: 4.5-13.5 × 10³/µL | 3.7-10.5 × 10³/µL |
| Platelet count | 150-450 × 10³/µL | 140-450 × 10³/µL | 150-400 × 10³/µL |
| MCV | Birth to 1 month: 88-123 fL | 1-6 yr: 75-90 fL; 6-12 yr: 77-90 fL | 82-99 fL |
| MCHC | Birth to 6 months: 28-36 g/dL | 32-36 g/dL | 32-36 g/dL |
Key points:
- Newborns normally have higher hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC count, WBC count, and MCV than older children and adults.
- At about 2-3 months, babies commonly develop a temporary fall in hemoglobin, called physiologic anemia of infancy.
- Young children normally have higher WBC counts than adults, often with a relatively higher lymphocyte proportion.
- Platelet reference values are broadly similar across age groups.
These figures are adapted from age-stratified pediatric ranges published by Seattle Children’s laboratory and adult plus pediatric ranges from the University of Iowa laboratory handbook.
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