You can find out a detailed picture of the child’s health status by a blood test. Its important element is the ESR indicator (erythrocyte cell sedimentation rate). This is a non-specific parameter that is highly sensitive for determining pathologies of an infectious and oncological nature. From the materials in this article, you will find out why some ESR children are above the norm, what this means, what measures parents should take.
general information
ESR is one of the main parameters of a blood test. Red cells mean red bodies that, under the influence of anticoagulants, settle for a certain amount of time at the bottom of a medical tube.
A similar process occurs in the human body. Over a period of time, red blood cells undergo a process of agglomeration and gradually precipitate on the walls of blood vessels. The ESR indicator is not evaluated separately, that is, separately from others. It is highly sensitive. A change in this indicator signals the development of a certain pathology in the body until a pronounced clinical picture appears.
Methods for determining the value of ESR
Today in medical practice, two options are used to determine the amount of erythrocyte cell sedimentation: the Panchenkov and Westergren method.
The first involves placing the biological fluid on the glass, which is installed vertically. The second is considered more informative, as it optimally recreates the conditions of a similar process in the human body. Normally, the results of both analyzes should be identical.
The Westergren method is most sensitive, because only venous blood is used for its implementation. When the results of the analysis show increased ESR in the child, re-delivery is not required.
Normative indicators in children
After the doctor took the child’s blood, he must place it in a special tube. In it, under the influence of gravitational forces, red blood cells gradually begin to settle. The task of the laboratory assistant is to measure the speed with which this process occurs.
The standard indicators of ESR vary in children and adults, and also differ depending on the gender of the child. However, there are certain boundaries that indicate the presence of a pathological process in the body.
The following indicators are considered to be the norm:
- Breast: 2 to 4 mm / h.
- Kids up to 6 years old: from 5 to 11 mm / h.
- Adolescents under 14 years old: from 5 to 13 mm / h.
- Young people over 14 years old: from 1 to 10 mm / h.
- Girls after 14 years: from 2 to 15 mm / h.
An increased ESR in a child does not always indicate the presence of inflammation in the body. For an accurate diagnosis, a more detailed examination and determination of other parameters in the blood is necessary.
Increased ESR in a child
Often parents find out about the violation during a routine examination with a pediatrician. If the specialist does not see the reasons that could lead to the problem, a second test is prescribed by another method.
High ESR almost always leads to the thought of inflammation in the body. However, such an opinion should be necessarily supported by the results of an additional survey. Often, a high level of lymphocytes indicates a viral infection, and an increase in neutrophils indicates a bacterial infection. Without the accompanying test data, it is not possible to identify a disease in a child.
The amount of sedimentation of red cells may go beyond the normal range in young children if they are deficient in vitamins or an active process of teething was taking place during the tests. In older patients, the body responds by increasing this blood parameter to stress or strong feelings.
What factors affect the ESR in children?
The main factor that increases this indicator is the presence of an inflammatory reaction in the body. However, doctors also identify other reasons that contribute to a decrease / increase in the process of sedimentation of red bodies.
- Change in pH and blood viscosity.
- Reduced red blood cell count.
- The presence of helminths.
- Vitamin deficiency in the body.
- Stress.
- Unbalanced diet.
It is important to note that the erythrocyte sedimentation parameters relate to those parameters that very slowly return to normal. After the acute respiratory viral infection, the child may have a high ESR for some time. After about 1.5 months, these parameters return to normal.
The main reasons for the increase in ESR
As already noted earlier in the article, most often the causes of changes in this blood count are hidden in the presence of inflammation in the body. In addition, allergic reactions, poisoning, untreated foci of infection can provoke such phenomena.
The main diseases that are signaled by an increase in ESR in children include the following:
- Autoimmune processes (lupus erythematosus, scleroderma).
- Blood diseases (anemia, leukemia).
- Endocrine pathologies (diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism).
- Oncology.
In infants, ESR analysis is usually increased with teething or because of the high fat content of breast milk. Sometimes this condition is quite natural, that is, it is an individual norm of the body. In such cases, pediatricians recommend regular screening.
It also happens that all indicators are normal except the erythrocyte sedimentation value. False positive acceleration may be due to obesity of the child, taking some multivitamin complexes or hepatitis vaccination.
Monocytes and ESR are elevated in a child
Monocytes are immature blood cells. Their level can also be determined using general analysis. When detailed information on the functioning of the child's body is required, the leukocyte formula is checked. Elevated and decreased levels of these blood cells indicate impairment. The increase in parameters is called monocytosis. Normally, the number of immature cells should not exceed 11% of the number of leukocytes.
A decrease in the level of monocytes indicates violations in the functioning of the immune system. This usually occurs with anemia, leukemia and radiation sickness.
An increase in monocytes is observed with tuberculosis, malaria and damage to the lymphatic system. Thus, an increase in the number of immature cells, as well as an increased ESR in a child should alert parents and a pediatrician.
What treatment is required?
When the red cell sedimentation rate index is slightly higher than normal, the child's condition is stable, there is no reason to worry. For your own comfort, after a short period of time, you can re-take tests and make sure that nothing threatens the baby.
If the ESR parameters exceed the mark of 15 mm / h, almost always this means the presence of an infectious focus in the body. When this indicator reaches approximately 30-40 mm / h, this is a clear sign of a serious illness, the fight against which can take several months.
Increased ESR in a child always means a violation in the body. The pediatrician first of all needs to determine the root cause that provoked such changes. This may require a more serious examination. After the doctor should prescribe treatment for a specific disease. Usually it involves taking antibiotics and antiviral agents.
Decreased ESR in a child
Reduced erythrocyte sedimentation rates usually indicate impaired blood circulation, poor coagulation, or blood thinning. The number of red bodies increases, but they interact with each other inefficiently.
This phenomenon is observed in children who have recently suffered poisoning or dehydration, have problems with stool. In some cases, low rates signal viral hepatitis.
Only a pediatrician can determine the true cause of such a pathology and recommend appropriate therapy.
Conclusion
Very often, parents turn to a pediatrician for advice when the child has an ESR higher than normal. What this means, what are the causes of such disorders in the body, can only be said by a specialist on the basis of a full diagnostic examination of a small patient. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a serious indicator, therefore, its values are not recommended to be neglected. In case of deviation from the norm, prolonged treatment may be required. The sooner the course of therapy begins, the higher the chances of a quick recovery.