What is the norm of the content of leukocytes in the blood of a child

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-18 00:05

If the analysis showed increased leukocytes in the blood, this means that the child's body is fighting the disease. This is not only a bad sign, but also a confirmation that the immune system continues to perform its functions.

What are leukocytes and how many should be in the blood

Leukocytes are white blood cells, the main cells of the immune system. As the body's "police", they are responsible for capturing, containing and eliminating any danger to the body.

To perform these functions, there are 5 types of leukocytes:

1. Neutrophils … They quickly move to the site of infection and eat pathogenic microorganisms. They are also capable of producing antimicrobial substances. With mass death, they become the basis for pus.
2. Monocytes … These are the largest white blood cells, capable of eating large bacteria and the body's own cells infected with viruses.
3. Eosinophils … They destroy excess histamine released during an allergic reaction. They are also capable of destroying the larvae of parasites that have entered the body.
4. Basophils … They trigger an immediate reaction (rash, swelling, cough) upon contact with an allergen.
5. Lymphocytes … There are T-lymphocytes, which recognize the infection and direct the activity of all components of the immune system, and B-lymphocytes, which produce specific antibodies to destroy the cause of the disease. Also, there are zero lymphocytes in the blood as a reserve during the mass death of leukocytes.

On average, an adult has 5, 5-8, 8x109 leukocytes per 1 liter of blood. For children, this indicator is not suitable, and the norm is taken from the table by age.

Symptoms of leukocytosis in a child

A deviation in the number of white blood cells from the norm is not a disease, but a signal that the body is fighting it. Accordingly, among the symptoms of leukocytosis can be:

• chronic fatigue, weakness;
• regular increase in body temperature;
• pain in joints and muscle tissues;
• disruption of the digestive tract, loss of appetite;
• nausea and vomiting;
• migraine and dizziness;
• fainting;
• emotional instability;
• sleep problems;
• sweating;
• a sharp deterioration in vision.

In general, almost any symptomatology of infectious diseases will mean that the child has high leukocytes in the blood. One way or another, this is a reason to contact a pediatrician and start treatment sooner.

The norm of leukocytes in a child

For a newborn, a leukocyte count of up to 30x109 / l is considered the norm. This is more than 3 times higher than that of an adult. But in the first days of life, it drops to:

Age	Norm (unit * 109 / l)
Up to 2 weeks	8, 5-15
Up to 6 months	7, 7-12
Up to 2 years	6, 6-11, 2
Up to 10 years	4, 5-15, 5
Over 10 years old	4, 5-13

This is the age average. However, for an accurate diagnosis, the doctor may ask for a more detailed analysis. All 5 types of lymphocytes will be indicated in the table of results:

Child's age	Norm (unit * 109 / l)
Leukocytes
Up to a year	6-18
1 to 2	6-17
2 to 4	5, 4-15, 7
4 to 6	4, 9-14, 6
6 to 10	4, 3-14
10 to 16	4, 5-13, 5
Over 16	4-11
Neutrophils
Up to a year	1, 4-8, 7
1 to 2	1, 5-8, 5
2 to 4	1, 6-8, 7
4 to 6	1, 5-8, 2
6 to 10	1, 7-8, 5
10 to 16	1, 5-8, 3
Over 16	1, 5-7, 5

If certain white blood cells are elevated in the child's blood, the specialist is able to approximately determine the source of the disease, even if there are no symptoms.

What diseases do the increased rates indicate?

If the white blood cells in the child's blood are high, this means that the body has launched an immune response. Accordingly, it can be caused by any external and internal factors that the body's defense system has recognized as hazardous to health. Exceeding the norm by age:

1. Neutrophils Is a reaction to a bacterial or fungal infection. Critical indicators often accompany pancreatitis, extensive burns, purulent processes and bone marrow diseases.
2. Monocytes Is a sign of a viral infection. Also, the indicator increases with oncological diseases of the genitals, stomach, lymph nodes, inflammatory processes in the lungs, brain and connective tissues.
3. Eosinophils Are always allergies or parasites.
4. Basofilov Is a rare occurrence. It is possible with cancer and anaphylactic shock, ulcerative colitis and polycythemia.
5. Lymphocytes - This is a confirmation of a viral infection. Another option is cancer of the lymphoid tissue.

Indicators below the norm in the table are also a bad sign, signaling damage to the bone marrow or blood cells, viral hepatitis and a number of other pathologies.

By the way, unlike boys, adolescent girls may have another reason for high leukocytes in the blood. This may mean that the child is having her period or even a pregnancy.

How to take a blood test correctly so that the indicator is reliable

1. The change in the number of leukocytes occurs not only as a result of the disease. There are simple physiological reasons for the increase in indicators:
2. In newborns, the overestimated age norm is due to the fact that white blood cells are used not only as protection, but also for metabolism.
3. Children often have an increase in the level of leukocytes during any physical activity: running, active games, exercising in sports sections.
4. Strong emotions cause an increase in the concentration of white blood cells.

After eating, any person has a dramatic increase in the number of leukocytes.

Accordingly, it is best to take a blood test after a good sleep in the morning. At the same time, one should not eat and play sports, be nervous before visiting the laboratory. In this case, the analysis results will be the most accurate. For infants, the age norms are completely different, and correction tables are used to bring the data obtained to adequate indicators that a pediatrician can operate.

Leukocytosis treatment methods

The child has high leukocytes in the blood if he is sick. This means that when he recovers, the indicator will return to normal within a few days. Up to this point, it is pointless to lower the number of white blood cells. It's like destroying your immune system.

Thus, there is no symptomatic treatment for leukocytosis. If a child has high leukocytes in the blood, this means that it is time to see a pediatrician so that he finds out the reason for the increase in the indicator. As soon as it is cured, then everything will return to normal by itself.

The only way parents can help is to give the child a full course of medications to drink and provide all the opportunities for a speedy recovery:

• healthy eating and drinking plenty of fluids;
• favorable microclimate in the house;
• compliance with hygiene rules.

For adults, the rules are slightly different. Doctors can perform a leukapheresis procedure. It resembles taking blood for a transfusion, but only excess leukocytes remain in the laboratory, and the plasma is poured back. In the future, such a biomaterial is used both for the treatment of the donor and for transfusion to other patients.

Diet with leukocytosis

This is an important part of the treatment. With elevated leukocytes in the child's blood, nutrients are constantly consumed to protect the body. This means that they need to be replenished. If the disease does not imply a special diet, it is enough to remember the golden rules of dietetics:

1. Drink plenty of fluids. At least 1.5-2 liters of water per day.
2. More grains, vegetables and fruits. These are not only vitamins, but also fiber, which facilitates digestion and bowel function.
3. Less sugar, white flour, fatty, spicy and pickled foods.

It is better to eat small meals several times a day, and use nuts, muesli and candied fruits for snacks. And if the child requires sweets, then it is better to give honey if there is no allergy to it.

Preventive measures

Elevated leukocytes in the child's blood means that a malfunction has occurred in the body. Accordingly, in order to prevent this, everything possible must be done, anyhow, to strengthen the immune system:

• provide a daily nutritious diet;
• organize a sufficient level of physical activity;
• give the opportunity to rest and restore physical and mental strength;
• temper the body.

Another important principle that helps prevent chronic leukocytosis is regular examination of the body. It is enough to take tests every six months in order to detect pathologies in a timely manner. All that remains is to cure them, without ceasing to give medications after the first improvement in the child's condition. And then the leukocytes will quickly return to tabular values.