Immature Granulocytes

Immature granulocytes are young cells of the neutrophilic lineage of the leukocyte formula, including myelocytes, promyelocytes, and metamyelocytes. Normally, in healthy adults and children, these cells are absent or present in very low quantities in peripheral blood. Exceptions are newborns, infants in their first days of life, and pregnant women, who may physiologically have elevated levels of immature granulocytes.
An increase in immature granulocytes usually indicates a left shift of the leukocyte formula and reflects an active bone marrow response to inflammation, infection, or other pathological processes. This occurs when mature neutrophils are overwhelmed, and young cells are released into the bloodstream to strengthen the immune response.
Causes of elevated immature granulocytes can be physiological or pathological:

• Physiological: stress, physical exertion, pregnancy, food intake, newborn status, childbirth.
• Pathological: acute and chronic infections (bacterial, viral), purulent processes, acute bleeding, burns, autoimmune and systemic diseases, oncological conditions, severe intoxications, diabetic acidosis, renal failure, infarctions, strokes, allergic reactions, and others.

Immature granulocytes are a sensitive marker of early inflammatory processes and can detect them earlier than other complete blood count parameters. Their level is assessed both in absolute values and as a percentage of total leukocytes.
Indications for testing:

• Diagnosis and monitoring of infectious and inflammatory diseases.
• Assessment of bone marrow activity and immune system status.
• Monitoring treatment efficacy in various pathologies.
• Screening examinations during hospitalization and outpatient observation.

For accurate interpretation, the patient’s clinical picture and other laboratory data must be considered. Elevated immature granulocytes require additional examination to determine the cause and prescribe appropriate treatment.
Thus, determining the level of immature granulocytes in the blood is an important diagnostic tool that enables timely detection and control of inflammatory and infectious processes in the body.