ObjectiveTo systematically review the correlation between DNMT3a mutation and peripheral blood cell count on the time of diagnosis for adult primary acute myeloid leukemia (AML). MethodsLiterature search in the databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, EBSCO, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data was performed to collect the case-control studies about the correlation between the DNMT3a mutations and adult AML up to December 2012. Two reviewers independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted the data, and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies, and then RevMan 5.0 software was conducting for metaanalysis. ResultsA total of 10 studies involving 2 704 patients were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that:the levels of peripheral blood WBC, HGB and PLT of the DNMT3a-mutated group were significantly higher than those of the DNMT3a-wildtype group for the initial visit of adult primary AML patients (all P values < 0.05). ConclusionThe peripheral blood cell counts of the DNMT3a-mutated group are higher than those of the DNMT3a-wildtype group for the initial visit of adult primary AML patients, indicating DNMT3a mutation might contribute to promote cell proliferation, and this helps us better understand the role of DNMT3a mutation in the development of AML.