Immature Platelet Fraction (Blood)

Home

Counties Manukau

Test Guide

Immature Platelet Fraction (Blood)

Testing Laboratory

Counties Manukau | Middlemore Hospital

Department

Haematology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

FBC

Test Code (Numeric Code)

1000

Laboratory Handling

Sample Stability

FBC analysis should occur within 6 hours of collection but may be processed up to 24 hours post collection if the sample is refrigerated at 4 degrees C.

Associated Tests

Synonyms

IPF (Blood)

Turnaround Time

1 hour

Available 24 hours. Not routinely reported - research parameter

Specimen Type

Whole Blood

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

EDTA (Microtainer)
Please refer to Additional Information below

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

0.3

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

0.2

Additional Specimen Information

For neonates minimum - 200 µL (but 300 µL needed if reticulocyte count required)

Diagnostic Use

The IPF is part of the Full Blood Count (FBC) and is a laboratory measurement that represents the percentage or absolute number of young, newly-released platelets in the blood and reflects bone marrow thrombopoietic activity.

The IPF can be used to:

1. Indicate whether the cause of the thrombocytopenia is due to destruction or production issues:
a. In platelet destruction, there would be a high IPF as the bone marrow is producing the platelets before they are destroyed (high bone marrow activity)
b. In production issues, as the bone marrow is not producing any platelets (bone marrow failure), the IPF would be low.

2. Assess bone marrow recovery after chemotherapy or stem cell transplant

Interpretation

The Sysmex XN-series haematology analyser has a fluorescent channel to measure immature platelet fraction (IPF). Specialised fluorescence flow cytometry within the PLT-F channel is used to generate an accurate and precise platelet count, referred to as the fluorescent platelet count (PLT-F), which is comparable to the CD41/CD61 reference method. This channel can give an accurate count even in platelet disorders, whether the disorder is due to platelet number or platelet size.

The PLT-F channel analyses a 5-fold larger sample volume of the aspirated sample compared to the Sheath Flow (DC) Detection measurement, which results in the high measurement accuracy in the low concentration range. The PLT-F channel also provides information about immature platelets in the form of the immature platelet fraction (IPF).
This parameter is expressed as a proportional value of the total platelet count (%-IPF), as well as absolute immature platelet (A-IPF), which is a derived value from the total platelet count and %-IPF.

Immature platelets are the newly released platelets from the bone marrow by megakaryocytes. They have a short lifespan (< 24 hours). The IPF is a helpful and non-invasive biomarker for the diagnosis of thrombocytopenia. It makes a distinction between bone marrow failures and peripheral platelet destruction because it is an indicator of megakariopoetic activity.

Reference Intervals

Percentage Immature Platelet Fraction reference interval (IPF %) = 1.1 6.3%
Absolute Immature Platelet Number reference interval (AIPF)= 2.6 – 14.4 x 10⁹/L

Uncertainty of Measurement

Last updated: 24/04/2026

Search tests

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Testing Laboratory

Department

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

Test Code (Numeric Code)

Laboratory Handling

Sample Stability

Associated Tests

Synonyms

Turnaround Time

Specimen Type

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

Additional Specimen Information

Diagnostic Use

Interpretation

Reference Intervals

Uncertainty of Measurement

Additional Costing Information

Contact Information

Enquiry Form

Search tests

Immature Platelet Fraction (Blood)

Overview

Testing Laboratory

Department

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

Test Code (Numeric Code)

Laboratory Handling

Sample Stability

Associated Tests

Synonyms

Turnaround Time

Specimen

Specimen Type

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

Additional Specimen Information

Referral

Clinical Information/Test Method

Diagnostic Use

Interpretation

Reference Intervals

Uncertainty of Measurement

Price

Additional Costing Information

Contact Information

Contact Information

Enquiry Form

Search tests