What does nrbc mean

Both of these possibilities can be an aspect of serious health conditions. If the nucleated RBC reference range is higher than normal, further testing needs to be carried out. The normal reference range for nucleated RBC is 0. Humans more than a few days old should not have any nucleated RBC in their bloodstream whatsoever.

Having a count of nucleated RBC is a condition called normoblastemia. The presence of only a few nucleated red blood cells can indicate serious health issues.

The only time nucleated RBC is normal in humans is in infants for up to five days after birth, especially if they have growth issues or have experienced a lack of oxygen. When the bone marrow is damaged, the blood-bone barrier can become weak and let nucleated RBC slip into the bloodstream. The term ' NRBC ' — 'nucleated red blood cells' — refers to precursor cells of the red blood cell lineage which still contain a nucleus; they are also known as erythroblasts or — obsolete — normoblasts.

In healthy adults and older children, NRBC can only be found in blood-building bone marrow where they mature. Save time on interpreting lab results with the largest database of biomarkers online. In-depth research on any test at your fingertips, all stored and tracked in one place.

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Their presence in the blood signifies the disruption of the blood-bone marrow barrier or increased red blood cell production outside the bone marrow [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. However, NRBCs are common in the blood of fetuses and newborn babies, especially if they are experiencing growth retardation or a lack of oxygen [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. NRBC test is often requested as a follow-up to abnormal results on a complete blood count CBC test in order to check for blood cell abnormalities.

It may also be of use when a person has signs and symptoms of a condition affecting blood cell production or lifespan. This can have negative consequences for patient treatment and outcome. In those cases, NRBCs in the blood film should be counted manually [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. The presence of nucleated RBCs in the blood is known as normoblastemia—a complex condition with many possible causes [ 5 ].

The causes discussed below are commonly associated with elevated NRBCs, but a high lab result here is not sufficient to diagnose any of these conditions. Work with your doctor or other health care professional to determine an accurate diagnosis and appropriate strategies for improving your health.

Conditions that reduce the tissue oxygen supply hypoxia increase red blood cell production, which, in turn, leads to the presence of nucleated RBCs in the blood. These include [ 5 , 1 , 7 ]:. Normally, spleen clears nucleated RBCs that escape from the bone marrow. Conditions that affect spleen function can result in the presence of nucleated RBCs in the blood. These include [ 5 , 1 ]:. Conditions that damage the bone marrow can break down the blood-bone marrow barrier and release NRBCs and into the circulation.

These conditions include [ 5 , 8 ]:. Bone marrow damage or severe anemia can lead to the production of red blood cells in other organs such as the liver or spleen, which may release NRBCs into the circulation. Such conditions include [ 5 , 9 ]:.

Other causes of NRBC in the blood normoblastemia include [ 5 , 1 , 10 ]:. It is unclear why normoblastemia occurs in some of these, but the breakdown of the blood-bone marrow barrier may play a key role [ 5 ].