Reference values for automated cytochemical differential count of leukocytes in children 0-16 years old: comparison with manually obtained counts from Wright-stained smears.

Reference values for the differential leukocyte count using an automated cytochemical method (Hemalog D) were determined in 1216 healthy children aged 0-16 years. Log-normal distributions for the absolute counts of all the separate cell types and for the total leukocyte counts were determined. For the relative values, a log-normal distribution for the eosinophils and basophils was also established. The Hemalog D gives narrower limits compared with the manual count, but the differences between the two methods are smaller than expected. It appears that the lower limit of the separate cell types is not zero.