Interference of Red Cell Parameters by an Endogenous Substance: An Interesting Case Report

Abstract

AbstractA 6-month-old infant was brought to the hospital with fever, vomiting, loose stools, and abdominal distension. The venous blood sample was sent to the hematology laboratory for complete blood count (CBC). Analysis of the sample on the automated hematology analyzer showed a discrepancy in red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values. Examination of the blood sample revealed a cherry red color appearance. On centrifugation, the plasma was lactescent. This finding provided an essential clue to the patient's diagnosis of severe hypertriglyceridemia. Turbidity of lactescent plasma interferes with CBC. Analytical errors in the CBC using an automated hematology analyzer caused by lactescent plasma and methods to resolve the false values will be discussed in this case report.