How dangerous is it for a child to have a high blood count?

Mothers often report that their babies have a continuous low-grade fever, sometimes bubbles in the mouth, and symptoms such as getting angry and inflammation. If the baby has these symptoms, parents should pay attention because it may be caused by the baby's high blood count. A high blood count means that the number of white blood cells in the baby's body exceeds the normal range. There are many reasons for a high white blood cell count. Infection, poisoning, and trauma can all cause white blood cell counts. So how high a blood count can be dangerous for a child?

1. What does high blood count mean?

In fact, many babies will be asked by doctors to have a blood test once they show symptoms such as low fever, getting angry or inflammation.

High blood count refers to high white count, neutrophil and lymphocyte values ​​in the blood routine test. The normal value of white blood cell count in children is 4000-10000. High blood count generally refers to an increase in white blood cell count in a routine blood test, that is, the white blood cell count exceeds the normal range.

Many reasons can cause an increase in white blood cell count, such as infection, trauma, poisoning, malignant tumors, blood diseases, etc. As described by the mother above, the newborn baby's blood count reached 30,000, accompanied by symptoms such as low fever and spitting bubbles, which may be a lung infection. Therefore, the doctor will recommend hospitalization for observation and may do other tests for symptomatic treatment.

2. How to determine the blood count?

To see whether the blood picture is normal, you just need to grasp these key points: white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin and platelets, and C-reactive protein. Each indicator reflects a different situation. Let’s talk about them one by one.

1. White blood cells: reflect the baby's infection status

White blood cells are the baby's body's guards and constitute the body's defense system.

The doctor will determine whether the baby's body is infected based on the number of white blood cells (i.e. white blood cell count), and then determine the type of infection based on the classification of white blood cells (neutrophils and lymphocytes), and then prescribe the appropriate medicine.

Normal white blood cell count in children

2. Hemoglobin: reflects whether the baby is anemic

Normally, the number of red blood cells and the amount of hemoglobin they contain vary slightly with age.

Diagnostic criteria for anemia in different age groups:

If the hemoglobin is normal, it indicates that the baby does not have anemia; if the hemoglobin is lower than the normal value and meets the diagnostic criteria for anemia in the table, it indicates anemia and the doctor is required to develop the next diagnosis and treatment plan.

3. Platelets: reflect the baby's coagulation function

The main function of platelets is blood coagulation. Without them, even a small wound may cause the baby to bleed profusely.

When the platelet count is <100×10^9/L, it indicates thrombocytopenia. Parents should pay attention to it because low platelet count may cause bleeding risk.

However, if the platelet count is >600×10^9/L, it indicates that the blood is prone to coagulation and there is a risk of thrombosis. In this case, you need to see a pediatrician, and the doctor will treat the symptoms accordingly.

4. C-reactive protein: Determine whether the baby is infected with bacteria

The normal value is 0-10 mg/L. The higher the degree above the normal value, the greater the possibility of bacterial infection. If the total white blood cell count increases and the neutrophil ratio is significantly higher than the normal range, it indicates a greater possibility of bacterial infection.

It is worth noting that these four indicators work together. The high or low level of any one of them may not necessarily determine what kind of infection the baby has. Therefore, when you see the baby's test results, the best way is to consult a professional doctor. At the same time, enrich your parenting knowledge so that you can better care for your baby.