A peripheral smear involves spreading a drop of blood on a glass slide, staining it, and examining under a microscope.

It provides detailed information about red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets.

Clinical uses include:

Detecting anemia types (iron deficiency, megaloblastic, hemolytic).

Identifying infections (e.g., malaria parasites).

Diagnosing hematologic malignancies (leukemia, lymphoma).

Assessing platelet disorders and overall blood morphology.

Considered a fundamental test in hematology, often ordered alongside a Complete Blood Count (CBC).

Analyte: Morphology of blood cells.

Normal Result:

RBCs: Uniform size and shape, normal hemoglobin.

WBCs: Normal distribution of types.

Platelets: Adequate number and normal appearance.

Abnormal Result:

RBC changes: Microcytosis, macrocytosis, hypochromia, sickle cells, spherocytes.

WBC changes: Immature cells, blasts, atypical lymphocytes.

Platelet changes: Low count, giant platelets, clumping.

Parasites: Malaria, filaria, or other blood-borne organisms.

Clinical Use:

Provides direct visualization of blood cell abnormalities.

Helps confirm and classify hematologic diseases.

Supports diagnosis when automated CBC results are inconclusive.