Interpretation
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ≥ 1500 | Normal |
| 1000–1499 | Mild |
| 500–999 | Moderate |
| < 500 | Severe |
| < 100 | Profound |
Formula
ANC (cells/µL) = WBC (×10³/µL) × 1000 × (% segs + % bands) ÷ 100
Clinical pearls
- Febrile neutropenia: ANC <500/µL, or <1000/µL expected to fall below 500 within 48 h, with fever ≥38.3 °C once or ≥38.0 °C sustained over 1 h.
- Benign ethnic neutropenia (Duffy-null phenotype) gives a lower normal range, often 1000–1500/µL, without increased infection risk.
Examples
anc wbc 4.0 segs 50 bands 5absolute neutrophil count white count 1.2 neutrophils 30%is a patient with wbc 2.1 and 40% polys neutropenic
FAQ
What ANC is considered neutropenic?
An ANC below 1500 cells/µL (1.5 ×10⁹/L); below 500 is severe and carries a high risk of serious bacterial and fungal infection.
Do you include bands in the ANC?
Yes. The ANC counts both segmented neutrophils and band forms.