In another way, the white blood cells called white blood cells that are produced by the bone marrow, their function - restoring damaged tissue and maintenance of immunity at the appropriate level. Leukocytes live 20 years or more, although some types of cells - just a few hours. Life expectancy of different memory cells, which, if necessary, are ready at any time to recall the offender health and rush to their destruction. In the quantitative violation once there is a suspicion of infection or virus penetration.
In any case, the level of white blood cells is changed frequently, it affects stress, physical exertion, changes in the condition of the body, but the rates vary within the normal range. However, blood samples for research carried out early in the morning on an empty stomach, while indicators provide an accurate result.
What is the white blood cells and what are they for?
White blood cells are produced by the bone marrow and travel throughout the body, penetrating even in the most secluded parts of it. If in any organ or tissue inflammation is detected - the number of cells begins to increase in this outbreak, and the bone marrow starts to develop them with new vigor. Themselves as white blood cells are classified into several types. Cells with granular components are called granulocytes, without the presence of grains - agranulocytes.
The first category refers to stab and segmented, basophils and eosinophils. Agranulocytes divided into lymphocytes and monocytes. They all have different structures and perform distinct functions in the process of hematopoiesis. Total leukocytes called leukocyte formula organism. White blood cells are on guard to protect the child from various diseases developing due to viruses and infections in the body.
It is worth noting that they are the main assistant in tissue repair after injury and inflammation, as well as contribute to the manifestation of reactions to allergens, unusual load fluctuations of ambient temperature environment.
Norma leukocytes in the blood of the child
Norma leukocytes in children at different ages is not the same and different from the same period in adults. The child has the level of white cells in the blood is usually higher.
Their content shows the WBC, which changes in a child, depending on age. When interpreting the analysis results and estimate the absolute number of different types of leukocytes, and relative (in%). Newborn normal lymphocytes high (up to 60%), the neutrophils were reduced to 40%. For one year, a reduction in the growth of lymphocytes and neutrophils.
For children over the age set the following norm in white blood cell count:
- Infant - 8-25H10⁹ / l;
- in the first week - 7-18H10⁹ / l;
- the first month - 6,5-14H10⁹ / l;
- first six months - 5,5-12H10⁹ / l;
- second half - 6-12H10⁹ / l;
- second year - 6-17H10⁹ / l;
- from 2 to 12 years - 4-5,2H10⁹ / l;
- 12 years - in adults - 4-8,8H10⁹ / l.
The relative abundance of different types of white blood cells of the child as follows:
- segmented neutrophils - 59%;
- stab neutrophils - 2%;
- basophils - 0-1%;
- eosinophils - 1-4%;
- lymphocytes - 46%;
- monocytes - 8%.
When interpreting the results it is important to assess and the total number of, and relative level. The absolute amount may correspond to the norm, while certain types of white blood cells will deviate from the norm. Thus, high levels of neutrophils usually indicates a bacterial infection development, and increased eosinophils is likely to talk about parasites infection. Each type of white blood cells performing a specific function, so the change of the level of a particular species may indicate a possible disease and its origin.
Table rules are presented, depending on the age (the total number and the relative level (%) of different types of white cells).
How to rent an analysis?
In the study of blood on the general or as it is called, the clinical analysis of the child as possible to be hungry, t. E. the procedure is done on an empty stomach. Normally, blood collection rooms in clinics run from 8.00. 9.30. At this time, blood parameters in the body of the most optimal.
The blood necessary to take it on an empty stomach, t. To. After the meal the stomach begins to work actively and the number of white blood cells may increase, which in turn can give the doctor the wrong information on the health status child. Also, before any analysis of the delivery procedures can not be held, such as x-rays, EGD and various physical therapy procedures, it may also lead to an increase in white blood cell count.
The classification of the causes of
a child elevated white blood cells in the blood have the following form:
- Physiological (natural) leukocytosis;
- Pathological - against the backdrop of various changes;
- Monocyte - in bacterial infections and cancers;
- Eosinophilic - in allergic reactions;
- Pathological and symptomatic - occurs in infectious diseases;
- Neutrophilic jump - reveals itself against the background of acute infections, chronic inflammation;
- Short-term - suddenly appears and disappears;
- Basophil - for ulcerative colitis.
The process is characterized by a change in the cellular composition of blood, when the white blood cells increased, called leukocytosis. elevated white blood cells may be a sign of the two groups of states for the child in the blood: physiological and pathological. Therefore, in addition to research carefully collect analyze and take into account age.
Physiological causes of the increase of white blood cells
Elevated blood leukocytes for a child can be an indication of physiological conditions that are caused by such factors as:
- Bathing, both hot and cold before performing medical procedures.
- Physical activity. Therefore, before the analysis is better to refrain from active play with the baby, which may increase the number of formed elements in the blood.
- A recent feeding. This is due to the fact that the food entering the stomach increases the number of leukocytes. After the meal marked the highest rate. In addition, the number can fluctuate throughout the day. That is why there are certain requirements for the preparation before blood donation.
- Carrying physiological procedures: X-ray, fibrogastroduodenoscopy.
- Fear. Before visiting the laboratories to distract the child from the sad thoughts, and not to focus on the procedure. A large number of white blood cells may be due even crying child before analysis.
Why leukocytes increased: possible diseases
In some cases the figures exceed the permissible value due to a pathological process. The reasons may be:
- Worm infestation. Any intestinal parasites (more children are identified worms, especially in the presence of cats / dogs and living in their own home) provoked elevated white blood cell count and a high eosinophils.
- Infection. At any intrusion (bacterial, viral or fungal), the body almost instantly responds to an increase in the protective cells - white blood cells. In the early days of the disease observed maximal jump of the index, but even after recovery (no symptoms) for a while can be kept slight leukocytosis.
Leukocytosis characteristic for ordinary childhood infections (ARI ARI, chickenpox, rubella, cystitis) and for more severe pathologies (tuberculosis, hepatitis, brucellosis). - Allergy. Contact with the allergen into the body immediately responds by leukocytosis. If in place of an allergic reaction occurs inflammation (itching, swelling, redness), it immediately triggers the production of more white blood cells.
- Diseases of the spleen. Spleen - organ recycling obsolete his term leukocytes. When it is damaged or splenectomy (surgery to remove the spleen) there is a significant, long-term fixed by leukocytosis.
- Autoimmune disorders. The most serious causes of leukocytosis lie in autoimmune aggression against the body's own leukocyte cells. Failure that led to such a pathological condition is observed in lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Endocrine pathology. For example, hypothyroidism (insufficient function of the thyroid gland) basophilia observed - increase in basophils.
- Blood loss, hemolytic anemia. Reduction in the number of red blood cells due to blood loss or anemia causes bone marrow to work in emergency mode. In this case, synthesized and new (immature) leukocyte cells, so the data is almost always accompanied by leukocytosis states.
- Oncology. Very important sign: it is very often in oncology in the blood revealed a large number of monocytes. Wobble leukocytes 0.1 - 300 x 109 / L (range leukopenia leukocytosis to scale) was observed in leukemia - cancerous degeneration leukocytes.
In the newborn, particularly in the first weeks of life, a high level of white blood cells due to the fact that the fetus at first does not need its own immune system, are accustomed to develop at the expense of the parent Immunity. Together with breastfeeding mother provides antibodies and other substances baby, thereby replacing immunity infant. Because an overabundance of white blood cells in the analysis of the newborn babies - a standard phenomenon, indicating a lack of maturity of his immunity.
About what diseases they say increased rates?
ESR and eosinophil levels in children above the norm:
- helminthiasis;
- allergies to medications;
- bronchial asthma;
- dermatitis due to allergic;
- cancers.
Neutrophil count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate above normal speed:
- meningitis;
- sepsis;
- pneumonia;
- angina;
- pyelonephritis;
- abscess;
- inflammation of the appendix.
Increased number of basophils in the blood - a rare phenomenon, which says:
- chlamydia;
- some types of leukemia;
- thyroid disease;
- allergic reactions.
The number of monocytes and speed ESR above the norm:
- lupus erythematosus;
- pulmonary tuberculosis;
- syphilis;
- brucellosis;
- leukemia.
Lymphocytes and erythrocyte sedimentation rate can be increased when:
- measles;
- mononucleosis, caused by infection;
- cytomegalovirus;
- influenza;
- SARS;
- whooping cough;
- rubella;
- hepatitis;
- tuberculosis.
Important: The deviation from the norm of lymphocytes in a big way for children up to 5 years may be physiological. To confirm possible causes need to pass additional tests.
What are the symptoms can be confusing for a child?
leukocytosis did not manifest any symptoms but pathological condition caused him to cause malfunctions in the body and are manifested by the following features:
- Stomach ache;
- General weakness;
- Increased sweating;
- Lack of appetite;
- Temperature rise;
- Increased fatigue;
- dizziness;
- Bleeding.
If a child older than one month detected at least one of these symptoms, you should always consult a doctor and have a blood test laboratory.
What to do and how to treat?
To reduce the level of white blood cells, you must first find out the cause of their appearance and diagnosis. Leukocytosis in itself - it is not a disease, but rather a consequence of any reason which can only install a qualified specialist.
Treatment may vary depending on the cause:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed by inflammatory processes;
- antibiotics are used in viral and infectious diseases;
- Diet is appointed, if the deviations are caused by malnutrition;
- antimicrobial ointment or spray used in the treatment of injuries and tissue damage;
- in oncology treatment selected individually;
- antihistamines relieve allergic effects of changes;
- if the sharp increase in white blood cells was caused by the drug, its dosage is reduced or canceled.
Physiological leukocytosis does not require treatment. We need to be tested again if there were violations in the preparations for it (eg, eating).
prevention
In order to prevent an increase in white blood cell count of the child must adhere to the following preventive measures:
- Prevent hypothermia;
- Monitor the state of health of the child;
- Enrich the diet with vitamins and microelements baby (at the very least, consult with your doctor about the possibility of receiving multivitamin preparations);
It is also worth remembering that the pathology is capable asymptomatic. That is why it is important to see your doctor regularly and take a small blood sample of the patient.
