High leukocytes in children indicate that the number of white blood cells is greater than normal.
As is known, leukocytes or white blood cells protect children from disease. White blood cells only contribute about 1% of the blood, but their impact is great.
This condition is a normal immune response and is not always a cause for concern. However, it can signal the presence of certain diseases.
Learn more about conditions where white blood cells in children increase in number, from their characteristics to how to treat them.
Definition of High Leukocytes in Children
In the medical world, high leukocytes are called leukocytosis.
Most of the time, it means the body is fighting an infection or inflammation.
However, there are times when a high white blood cell count can indicate something more serious, such as leukemia .
This condition can indicate a variety of diseases, including infection, inflammation, injury, and immune system disorders.
Less commonly, a high white blood cell count may indicate certain blood cancers or bone marrow disorders.
White blood cells are an essential and critical part of the immune system. Produced in the bone marrow, they defend the body from infection and disease.
The normal white blood cell count is:
- 9,000 to 30,000/mm3 for newborns
- 6,200 to 17,000/mm3 for children under 2 years
- 5,000 to 10,000/mm3 for children over 2 years of age and adults.
Meanwhile, the types of white blood cells include:
- Monocytes . They have a longer lifespan than many white blood cells and help break down bacteria.
- Lymphocytes . They create antibodies to fight bacteria, viruses, and other potentially harmful invaders.
- Neutrophils . They kill and digest bacteria and fungi. They are the most abundant type of white blood cell and your first line of defense when infection strikes.
- Basophils . These tiny cells seem to sound the alarm when infectious agents invade the blood. They release chemicals such as histamine, a marker of allergic disease, which helps control the body’s immune response.
- Eosinophils . They attack and kill parasites and cancer cells, and help with allergic responses.
High Leukocytes in Children, a Sign of What Disease?
Quoted from the pageNationwide Children’s Hospital, high leukocytes in children can be a sign of something, including the following.
1. Weak Immune System
This is often caused by diseases such as HIV/AIDS or cancer treatment.
Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy can destroy white blood cells and put a child at risk for infection.
2. Infection
A higher than normal white blood cell count usually means the child has some type of infection.
White blood cells multiply to destroy bacteria or viruses.
3. SyndromeMyelodysplastic
This condition causes abnormal blood cell production. This includes white blood cells in the bone marrow.
4. Blood Cancer
Cancers including leukemia and lymphoma can cause uncontrolled growth of abnormal types of blood cells in the bone marrow.
This causes an increased risk of infection or serious bleeding.
5. Myeloproliferative Disorders
This disorder refers to a variety of conditions that trigger excessive production of immature blood cells.
This can result in an unhealthy balance of all types of blood cells in the bone marrow and too many or too few white blood cells in the blood.
6. Other Health Problems
Conditions such as extreme physical stress caused by injury or emotional stress can also trigger high white blood cell levels.
So does inflammation, or even extreme exercise.
Characteristics of High Leukocytes in Children
Many symptoms of high leukocytes in children can indicate an infection or something more serious, such as lymphoma or leukemia.
Common warning signs include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
- Night sweats
- Unexpected weight loss
- Rash
A child who bruises easily may indicate thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) or severe acute leukemia.
In severe cases of acute leukemia, very high white blood cells can thicken the blood and reduce blood flow.
As a result, hyperviscosity syndrome can develop. This condition can lead to serious health problems, such as stroke , internal bleeding or visual impairment.
Causes of High Leukocytes in Children
The condition of white blood cells in children that increase is most often caused by infection or inflammation.
Other causes of a high white blood cell count may include:
- Excessive physical or emotional stress (such as fever, injury or surgery)
- Burns
- Immune system disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
- Thyroid problems
- Dental caries (cavities)
- Certain medications, including lithium, corticosteroids and beta-agonists
- Allergy
- Splenectomy (removal of the spleen)
- Obesity
Diagnosis of High Leukocytes in Children
A health care provider or pediatrician will perform an examination and ask about the child’s symptoms and medical history.
They will also order a complete blood count or general blood test. This checks for red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in the blood.
This blood test can tell your healthcare provider if your child has certain conditions or infections. In some cases, your child may need a bone marrow test to confirm the diagnosis.
How to Reduce High Leukocytes in Children
Treatment to lower high leukocytes in children varies depending on what causes the condition.
For example, if a child has a high white blood cell count due to a bacterial infection, the healthcare provider will prescribe antibiotics.
If leukocytosis is associated with an allergic reaction, then the child may need antihistamines.
Other common high white blood cell count treatments include:
- Medications to reduce stress or anxiety.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Inhalerto treat asthma.
- IV fluids to increase blood flow.
- Leukapheresis, a procedure to quickly reduce the number of white blood cells in the blood.
- Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy or stem cell transplantation.
In some cases, the white blood cell count may return to normal without intervention.
It all depends on the type of treatment received. In most cases, children can recover from leukocytosis in two to four weeks.
If a child is undergoing cancer treatment, it may take longer.
In addition, there are things that parents can do to keep their child’s white blood cell count within a healthy range:
- Wash children’s hands frequently to reduce the risk of infection.
- Avoid potential allergens
- Do not smoke
- Practice good dental hygiene
- Visit a pediatric dentist every six months.
- Take all medications as directed by your healthcare provider.
- Find ways to reduce your child’s stress levels, such as mindfulness or meditation.
- Seek treatment for anxiety or depression as needed.
That’s some information related to high leukocytes in children. Hopefully it can be useful for Parents !
Sources:
Pediatric white blood cell disorders www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pediatric-white-blood-cell-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20352674#
What Are White Blood Cells? www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/health-library/what-are-white-blood-cells
High White Blood Cell Count my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/17704-high-white-blood-cell-count
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
