The norm of leukocytes in the blood in children: in a newborn, a child 1 year old and older
The content of the article:
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What is the norm of leukocytes in the blood in children
- The norm of leukocytes in the blood in children under 1 year old
- The norm of leukocytes in the blood in children from 1 to 15 years
- Increase in leukocytes in the blood in children
- Decrease in leukocytes in the blood in children
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Types of leukocytes and leukocyte formula in children
- Neutrophils
- Eosinophils
- Basophils
- Lymphocytes
- Monocytes
- Plasma cells
The norm of leukocytes in the blood in children depends on age. This indicator is determined within the framework of a general (clinical) blood test, which is carried out during medical examination and examination of children with various diseases. In addition to the number of leukocytes, the study allows you to determine the percentage of the main subpopulations. These cells are labeled "WBC" (white blood cells) on the CBC form.
Newborns have much higher white blood cell counts than adults Newborns have much higher white blood cell counts than adults
The main functions of leukocytes are:
- recognition and neutralization of foreign proteins;
- immune protection against infectious agents (bacteria, viruses);
- utilization of dying and damaged body cells.
The level of leukocytes in the blood almost always changes against the background of diseases, only in rare cases remaining within the normal physiological values.
What is the norm of leukocytes in the blood in children
A complete blood count is the most common test not only in children, but also in adults. In this regard, in most medical institutions, ready-made printing forms are used, indicating the normal (reference) values of different blood cells for adult patients. However, children have an increased leukocyte count, which is associated with the immaturity of their immune system. As the child grows up, the number of leukocytes gradually decreases. The highest level of white blood cells is found in newborns, and in children over 13-15 years old, it becomes the same as in adults. Therefore, speaking about how many leukocytes should be in the blood of children, their age should be taken into account. For this purpose, special tables are used in clinical practice.
The norm of leukocytes in the blood in children under 1 year old
Age 1-3 days 4-7 days 8-14 days 15-30 days 1-2 months 3-6 months From 6 months Girls (х109 / l) 8.0-14.3 8.8-14.8 8.4-15.4 8.3-14.7 7-15.1 6.8-16.0 6.4-15 Boys (x109 / l) 6.8-13.3 8.3-14.1 8.2-14.4 7.4-14.6 6.7-14.2 6.9-15.7 6.2-14.5 From the presented data, it can be seen that the norm of leukocytes in the blood in children under one year old is significantly higher than in adults. The fact is that immediately after birth, a child enters from a sterile environment into an environment with many microorganisms. However, his immune system does not yet know how to properly recognize them and fight them. Therefore, a large number of white blood cells are needed to protect the body. Simply put, the immune system of young children fights infectious agents not by skill, but by number.
As children grow up, the immune system, constantly in contact with viruses and bacteria, learns to recognize them and effectively resist them. Over time, the need for a large number of leukocytes disappears, and their number gradually decreases. As a result, the rate of leukocytes in the blood of a child at 1 year old is significantly less than in the first days of his life, and continues to decline further.
The norm of leukocytes in the blood in children from 1 to 15 years
Age 1 to 3 years old 4 to 6 years old 7 to 8 years old 9 to 10 years old 11 to 13 years old 14 to 15 years old The number of leukocytes (x109 / l) 6-17 5.3-11.5 5.2-10.3 5-10 4.9-10.1 4.5-10 As can be seen from the table, the norm of leukocytes in the blood in children at the age of 5 differs from the normal values in children of a different age, for example, 9-10 years old, and even more so from the adult norm indicated in the printed form. Therefore, only a doctor can correctly decipher the result of a blood test in children.
Increase in leukocytes in the blood in children
The condition when the number of leukocytes exceeds the upper limit of the age norm is called leukocytosis. Leukocytosis can be both physiological, that is, normal, and pathological.
Leukocytosis in children accompanies most infectious diseases Leukocytosis in children accompanies most infectious diseases
The causes of physiological (reactive) leukocytosis are most often:
- early postoperative period;
- the impact on the child's body of physical factors (ultraviolet radiation, physical activity, hypothermia or overheating);
- severe emotional stress;
- menstruation in adolescent girls.
Pathological leukocytosis is caused by:
- infectious and inflammatory diseases (peritonitis, pyelonephritis, arthritis, abscess, appendicitis, phlegmon, sepsis, tonsillitis, meningitis, pneumonia, osteomyelitis, otitis media);
- exogenous (poisoning) and endogenous (uremia, diabetic acidosis) intoxication;
- acute bleeding;
- injuries and burns;
- exacerbation of rheumatic disease;
- glucocorticoid therapy;
- malignant tumors in the early stages of development;
- anemia of various origins (posthemorrhagic, autoimmune, iron deficiency, hemolytic);
- myeloid leukemia;
- lymphocytic leukemia.
Decrease in leukocytes in the blood in children
A decrease in the number of leukocytes less than the lower limit of the norm is called leukopenia. The development of leukopenia indicates a weakening of the immune system due to one reason or another. It should not be forgotten that when decoding a general blood test in pediatric practice, the age of the child is always taken into account. For example, the lower limit of the norm of leukocytes in the blood in children at the age of 7 is 5.2x10 9 / l. If the same number of white blood cells is detected in a child under three years old, this will be regarded as leukopenia.
The following reasons lead to a decrease in the level of leukocytes in the blood in children:
- some infectious diseases of bacterial and viral etiology (AIDS, miliary tuberculosis, mumps, rubella, measles, viral hepatitis, tularemia, typhoid fever, influenza, sepsis);
- systemic collagenosis (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus);
- therapy with certain groups of drugs (cytostatics, thyreostatics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, sulfonamides);
- leukopenic forms of leukemia;
- ionizing radiation, including radiation therapy;
- abnormal development of the bone marrow (aplasia, hypoplasia);
- splenomegaly (enlarged spleen);
- anaphylactic shock;
- Addison-Birmer disease (pernicious, megaloblastic or B 12 deficiency anemia);
- severe exhaustion;
- paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria;
- Gaucher disease (a genetic disease in which glucocerebrosides accumulate in macrophages, which leads to destruction of bone tissue, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, damage to the central nervous system).
Types of leukocytes and leukocyte formula in children
When conducting a general blood test, not only the total number of leukocytes is counted, but also their individual types, or subpopulations (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, plasma cells). The percentage of different types of white blood cells in the blood is called the leukocyte formula, or leukoformula.
Each type of white blood cell performs a specific function Each type of white blood cell performs a specific function.
Neutrophils
Neutrophils have the ability to detect and destroy pathogenic bacteria by phagocytosis, so an increase in their number is noted against the background of bacterial infections. With a severe course of the infectious process, immature (myelocytes, metamyelocytes) and young forms (stab) neutrophils appear in the blood.
Eosinophils
Eosinophils are actively involved in neutralizing immune complexes. An increase in their number indicates allergic sensitization of the body due to exposure to various allergens. Quite often, eosinophilia is observed in children against the background of parasitic invasions. In severe bacterial infections, the number of eosinophils in the blood decreases sharply, and the level of neutrophils, on the contrary, increases. A change in this ratio in the opposite direction, that is, an increase in the number of eosinophils and a decrease in neutrophils, is a favorable prognostic sign for inflammatory diseases of bacterial origin.
Basophils
The functions of basophils remain not fully understood. It is known that this type of leukocytes is involved in both allergic and inflammatory reactions. An increase in the number of basophils can be observed with lymphogranulomatosis, hypothyroidism.
Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are involved in immune reactions, form general and local immunity. The total number of leukocytes in the blood of children depends on age, the same is true for lymphocytes. The maximum level of this type of white blood cells is observed in children under two years of age. At this time, in the blood of children, the number of lymphocytes prevails over the number of neutrophils. As the child grows and his immune system develops, the number of lymphocytes gradually decreases, and by the age of five, the ratio of neutrophils and lymphocytes becomes equal. Only after 15-16 years, the level of lymphocytes becomes the same as in adults.
In children, the number of lymphocytes increases, usually against the background of viral infections. In this case, lymphocytosis usually takes on a long-term nature and persists for several weeks, and sometimes even months.
Monocytes
The main function of monocytes is to destroy dead cells, bacteria, and foreign particles. An increase in the number of monocytes in the blood of children is one of the main diagnostic signs of Filatov's disease (infectious mononucleosis). In addition, monocytosis develops against the background of some lingering sluggish infections, for example, with tuberculosis.
Plasma cells
Plasma cells are required for the formation of antibodies. Their amount in the blood is small. In children, there is only one such cell for 300-500 leukocytes. Chickenpox, rubella, measles, infectious mononucleosis lead to an increase in the level of plasma cells.
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Elena Minkina Elena Minkina Doctor anesthesiologist-resuscitator About the author
Education: graduated from the Tashkent State Medical Institute, specializing in general medicine in 1991. Repeatedly passed refresher courses.
Work experience: anesthesiologist-resuscitator of the city maternity complex, resuscitator of the hemodialysis department.
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