Often children up to one year to the general pediatrician directs blood tests. It gives detailed information about the health of the young patient. If the child has increased white blood cells in the blood, it means that the body develops an infectious disease.
symptoms
Common symptoms of leukocytosis in the infant include:
- fever;
- chills;
- extreme weakness;
- increasing the separation of sweat;
- sleep disturbance;
- appetite disorders;
- worsening of sleep;
- weight loss;
- clouding of urine and change its color;
- dizziness.
As the analysis
Various pathological factors distort the results of the blood test. To obtain reliable results of the survey, such rules must be followed:
- One day before the blood collection procedure to eliminate from the diet of fatty, spicy foods.
- During the day, refrain from taking medicines (if one can not exclude the use of drugs, then it is necessary to inform the doctor).
- Before blood sampling is necessary to limit the child from emotional stress.
- It is necessary to eliminate physical overload.
- 8 hours before blood collection to cease food intake (for infants - 2 hours). Drinking water is not able to influence the results of the analysis, and the children can drink non-carbonated water and unsweetened.
To analyze the most commonly used capillary blood. It is taken from the fingers. In infants, it is obtained from the heel (scarifier is used for this). The child should be psychologically prepared for blood sampling procedure, because that stress negatively affects the effectiveness analysis.
To reduce stress and discomfort use a mini-vacuum blood collection system. They almost do not fix the limb of the child, and the doctor or nurse can dial in the right amount of blood tube.
The results of the blood test all the white blood cells are referred to as WBC. Additional blood diagnosis is indicated for severe disease or questionable results.
The norm in children over the age of
The erythrocyte count is expressed as one billion particles per liter of blood (figure specifying the number of white blood cells in the billions per liter). Regardless of age this number is different:
- up to a week - from 9 to 15;
- up to two weeks of age - 8.5 - 14;
- 1 to 6 months - 7.7 - 12;
- 6 months - 1 year - 7 - 11.5;
- 1 - 2 years - 6.6 - 11.2;
- white blood cell count increased to 3 years in the case of a reading above 15.5 (the lower limit of the norm in this case - 5.5):
- 4 - 6 years - 5 - 14.5;
- after 6 years - 4.5 - 13.5.
By 10-12 years the number of white blood cells in the child becomes the same as in adults.
Figure in a child of white blood cells is significantly higher adult rates. When interpreting blood tests take into account the differential blood count. Increasing the level of eosinophils is an allergic reaction. Viral infection contributes to the number of monocytes. Neutrophils are increased in bacterial infections.
Why elevated levels of white blood cells
Elevated levels of leukocyte blood cells in children is most often indicative of the development of any disease. According to the blood test results establish the reasons physicians increased content of white blood cells. Detailed analysis of the leukocyte formula reveals the true reason why the body's white blood cells are increased.
disease
If overestimated the number of white blood cells in a child, it means that his body develop the disease:
- bacterial or viral disease;
- chronic inflammatory pathologies - pyelonephritis, gastritis, etc .;
- allergy;
- helminthic diseases;
- burns tissues and mucous membranes;
- food poisoning;
- radiation injury;
- trauma of varying severity;
- purulent skin lesions and mucous membranes;
- diseases of the immune system;
- hematopoietic system disease;
- benign or malignant tumors;
- anemia;
- pathology of the liver and spleen;
- disorders of the endocrine glands.
Increasing the number of leukocytes in the blood is a result of the transfusion of blood or blood components, lack of vitamins or minerals due to improper diet. If a child leukocytosis, then it suggests intrauterine infection. The high level of leukocyte cells indicates that the child could bear birth trauma. Violation of the activities of after it explains why the children a lot of white blood cells.
pathological factors
By abnormal increase of white blood cells factors include:
- getting an infection in the body;
- allergic processes;
- the impact of worms and their toxins;
- trauma;
- internal bleeding;
- improper diet (mainly consumption of foods a child with difficulty digesting its digestive system);
- insufficient quantity of red blood cells and hemoglobin;
- disorders of the immune system.
All these factors suggest the risk of disease. Sustained increases leukocytes indicates a further development of the inflammatory process. In this newly formed white blood cells are sent to the pathological focus.
physiological factors
The child's body is susceptible to various changes in the environment. Even small changes activate protective processes in the body and stimulate the rapid formation of leukocyte cells. If the child has a high white blood cells at a satisfactory state of health, it says about the physiological leukocytosis.
First of all, the number of white blood cells is greatly increased due to emotional stress. The body sees it as a threat to life. In response triggered intense development of white blood cells.
Physical stress greatly increases the number of leukocytes. Due to the intense games the child loses a lot of energy, and the process of hematopoiesis proceed more actively. After exercise leukocytes increased briefly.
The increase in the number of leukocytes is at:
- sharp change in the ambient temperature;
- Taking certain food of animal origin (meat, fish or eggs);
- menstruation in girls (before or at the time);
- excessive ultraviolet irradiation;
- fluorography examination;
- taking certain medications.
How to lower
Physiological leukemia does not require treatment. But if the cause was a violation of the preparatory process for the analysis (food intake), then repeated blood donation is recommended.
Pathologically elevated white blood cell count is held after eliminating its cause. During the inspection of the little patient doctor carefully collects history. Based on the symptoms and outcome analyzes, it is the most effective treatment regimen.
When inflammation appointed antibiotics. For the treatment of children selected the most effective dosage of the drug. The course of antibiotics should go completely to prevent recurrence of infection.
When the viral disease are assigned antivirals. Use of antibiotics in these cases is inappropriate and harmful. When soft tissue injuries apply antimicrobials local action. For removal of soft tissue swelling and inflammation eliminate prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs.
Children who are prone to allergies, prescribed antihistamines. They do not allow the development of allergic reactions, including for medicines. Chelators are used to remove toxic substances from the body caused by the disease. They normalize the digestive tract.
If a strong and prolonged increase of the number of leukocytes assigned leukapheresis. During this procedure, cleaning the blood comes from the excessive number of white blood cells.
The use of unconventional means always agree with the doctor as an addition to the previously assigned treatment. Most often used:
- decoction of the berries and leaves, cranberries;
- decoction of birch buds;
- decoction of the leaves and berries of strawberry.
For decoctions 1 tablespoon raw pour 1 cup boiling water, boiled for 10 minutes, soaked in half an hour. Manufacture of a medicament for use ¼ cup of 2 - 3 times a day. Duration of reception - at least 2 weeks. Give newborn infants, these broths is strictly prohibited. The minimum age for the treatment of children with the help of the aid - 4 months.
An important place in the treatment takes diet. The basis of the menu are:
- steamed vegetables, fruit;
- compotes;
- cereals;
- jelly;
- dairy dishes;
- Soup prepared on the basis of low-fat broth;
- lean meat or fish;
- beans;
- nuts.
are prohibited:
- oily or spicy food;
- pasta;
- sweets.
Parents should:
- daily wet cleaning rooms where there is a child;
- hygiene;
- change bed linen;
- at higher temperatures and provide abundant warm drink.
prevention
Specially designed preventive measures against high content of white blood cells do not. follows:
- balanced nutrition, diet enriched with vitamins and trace elements;
- constantly monitor the health of the child and the time to visit the pediatrician;
- avoid large temperature differences;
- to protect the child from the virus pathologies;
- conduct vaccination according to the vaccination schedule;
- during intensive spread of disease not to visit crowded places;
- House observe a peaceful atmosphere;
- prevent child dehydration.
complications
When a child raised white blood cells in the blood, you need as soon as possible to identify the cause of the violation and immediately start treatment. As soon as the disease is eliminated, the number of elevated white blood cell count decreases a child.
Elevated levels of leukocytes in the blood of the child not to be ignored, since prolonged inflammatory process leads to serious consequences. The acute form of the disease without treatment becomes chronic.
Long-term disease adversely affect the mental and physical development. Poorly cured of the disease lead to developmental delay or disability.
Medical consultation is required for any excess white blood cell count. Disease occurring in childhood, are developing rapidly and are often severe.
