Leukocytosis in newborns

Leukocytosis in newborns is a multivariate indicator. The concept of "leukocytosis" is considered a sign of the inflammatory process, when the number of protective white bodies increases. However, in children up to one year the cellular composition of the blood changes literally every day and even an hour, the norms for infants are specific, therefore leukocytosis in newborns is not always a symptom or a diagnosis of the disease. Rather, it is the reaction of the emerging immunity to external and internal factors associated with the growth of the baby. Formulating otherwise, leukocytosis in newborns is a specific metabolic function that can be considered a normal phenomenon. If the newborn is healthy, during the first few weeks of his life, the white blood cell count should be normal.

[1], [2], [3],

Epidemiology

The epidemiology of leukocytosis in newborns is not exactly an accurate concept. Rather, it is necessary to talk about the epidemiology of the underlying cause, which provoked an increase in leukocytes and a change in the leukocyte formula in principle. Leukocytosis is not a diagnosis and an independent nosology, it is a condition, a criterion that helps in the timely detection or exclusion of pathologies of a different nature. Statistically, leukocytosis in newborns is fixed as often as in adult patients. But, unlike the indicators of older people, the leukocyte shifts in the formula of the children's blood more quickly come back to normal. This is explained by the fact that the body of newborns is actively formed and adapts to new conditions, and all the causes of the physiological nature can be considered transient.

White Blood Cells (leukocytes) in fact, represent a huge group of colorless blood cells, which almost all refers to the cells of the immune system.

Let us consider in more detail several variants, since the leukocytes themselves are divided into different groups, subspecies - granulocytes and agranulocytes:

• basophils (granular immature cells),
• MON (monocytes) - the largest cells, agranulocytes, with a large, non-segmented nucleus,
• lymphocytes, which are also part of the immunity, are referred to as non-grained white blood cells (agranulocytes)
• granulocyte cells - neutrophils,
• active granulocytes, body protectors against allergens - eosinophils,

Each type of white blood cells functions as a specific response to a specific pathological cause. Therefore, the epidemiology of leukocytosis as a process indicating regularities should be considered from the point of view of the study of the cause and prevalence of factors that cause a change in the ratio of the types of bloodless, colorless bodies (leukocyte or leukogram).

1. The most common causes are neutrophil shift or neutrophilic absolute leukocytosis. Neutrophilia is characterized by active and rapid growth of granulocytes, which can be detected not only in blood analysis, but also in urine. As a rule, the neutrophil shift is provoked by the disease. If necessary, the epidemiology of the underlying cause is determined by the attending physician.
2. Lymphocytosis is the second most common. Such a change in the leukogram is characteristic of inflammation in chronic or acute form. In children, most often there are diseases from the category of VUI (intrauterine infections), or it may be whooping cough.
3. Eosinophilia in newborns is fairly rare and can be caused by pulmonary pathologies, allergies, drug intoxication, extremely rarely - myeloid leukemia.
4. Monocyte leukocytosis is typical for septic lesions of organs and tissues. Leukocytosis in newborns of this form is extremely rare.
5. The most rare cases in the statistical indicators of adults are basophilia. However, the shift of the leukogram towards increasing basophils is characteristic for physiological variants of leukocytosis and is noted during pregnancy and quite often in newborn infants.

[4], [5], [6]

Causes of the leukocytosis in a newborn

The causes of leukocytosis in newborns can be due to physiological changes in the body, but can also be associated with developing disease. Let's consider in detail the reasons of increase of a level of leucocytes at newborns.

Leukocytes are blood cells, "protectors", which instantly recognize harmful substances and react quickly, trying to remove them. Therefore, in ICD-10, you will not find a disease - leukocytosis, as this is a method of response or a diagnostic criterion. In newborns, the indicator of the level of white, more precisely - colorless protective blood cells can fluctuate during the day. In this way the immune system of the baby reacts to any changes in the body - both physiological and pathological.

1. A short-term increase in the level of leukocytes (the physiological granulocytosis of the newborn) can be caused by the following reasons:
   • Physiological adaptation of the baby to the temperature in the room (most often the baby reacts to the cold).
   • The kid cries for a long time, screams (muscle tension, stress).
   • The increase in leukocytes in the blood of a newborn can be associated with nutrition, feeding, especially in the first three days after birth. Repeated blood sampling in such cases usually fixes the return of the norm for all indicators.
   • Features of maturation and formation of the immune system of the baby, this is typical for the period of introduction of complementary foods, when the baby receives less antibodies of breast milk.
   • Elevated levels of leukocytes are characteristic of those babies who are born prematurely. Within a few days after birth, such indicators are not critical and should come back to normal in 3-5 days.
2. Pathological causes of leukocytosis in newborns are usually due to a group of viral, infectious diseases:
   • Different types of bronchitis.
   • Pneumonia.
   • Renal failure.
   • Otitis.
   • Intoxication.
   • Massive blood loss.
   • Injuries associated with childbirth.
   • Diseases of fungal etiology.
   • Viral infection.
   • Purulent process, developing in the organs of the baby.
   • Meningitis.
   • Malignant tumor pathology.

In the first weeks after birth, the infant's blood content is considered in dynamics, unless there are other health and life-threatening symptoms. The causes of leukocytosis of newborns are most often explained by a group of physiological factors and can be considered a normal age-related phenomenon.

[7], [8]

Risk factors

Despite the fact that leukocytosis of newborns in most cases is a transitory physiological phenomenon, there are risk factors that can be the cause of pathologies.

Let's list the risk factors for leukocytosis in newborns:

• Genetic factor, chromosomal abnormalities (aberrations) - Down's syndrome, Fanconi anemia.
• Unfavorable radiation background of the area where the child is born.
• Subcooling an infant.
• Premature birth (up to 36 weeks).
• Chronic diseases of the mother - both viral and bacteriological etiology.
• VUI - intrauterine infections (TORCH - infections), DNA and RNA viruses.
• Asphyxia during passage of the birth canal.
• Hypoxia, perinatal cerebral disorders.
• Delay in prenatal development (perinatal hypotrophy).
• Congenital endocrine pathologies.
• Congenital nephrotic syndrome.
• Newborn SDR (respiratory distress syndrome).
• Immunodeficiency.
• Urogenital diseases of the mother during the gestation of the fetus.
• Streptococcal infection in the mother.
• Polyhydramnios or vice versa - insufficient amount of amniotic fluid.

The most dangerous risk factors associated with infection of a woman during pregnancy. Such a disease develops slowly, often hidden, is difficult to diagnose and is most often the main cause of intrauterine fetal damage.

[9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14]

Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of leukocytosis is explained by active work, the allocation of mature leukocytes in response to an aggressive factor of inflammatory or other nature. White blood cells are produced in the spleen and in the main organ of hemopoiesis - the bone marrow. Short-term leukocytosis is transitory and performs a redistributive function.

If the cause disappears, the body no longer needs additional leukocyte protection and a blood test comes back to normal. Any of the types of leukocytes is very active, the bodies are able to penetrate through the capillaries into tissues to capture and dispose of harmful substances. Such phagocytosis in inflammatory processes can be quite aggressive, and in the analysis show a significant excess of normal numbers. Leukocytosis is usually seen in dynamics, especially the analysis in the final stage of inflammation, when leukocytes are massively disposed of, perish, their level, as a rule, decreases.

Let us consider in more detail the pathogenesis of leukocytosis, including leukocytosis in newborns.

The increase in the level of leukocytes can be relative (there is a variant of the name - physiological) or absolute.

1. Absolute - reactive leucopoesis (leukogenesis) or leukopoiesis associated with a tumor in the bone marrow, spleen
2. Relative - increase in the level of colorless bodies as a result of redistribution or as a result of accumulation in the zone of the inflammatory process (monocytes, basophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils may be increased)

Pathogenetically, leukocytosis is also subdivided into the following types:

1. Tumor hyperplasia of the tissues of the blood-forming organs or a reactive response to a vascular accident is a heart attack of the lungs, kidneys, heart, spleen
2. Vulnerability of the bone marrow barrier and its permeability due to septic diseases (leukocytes quickly and easily penetrate the bloodstream)
3. Enhanced mobilization of redistribution-type leukocytes as a protective response to a physiologically negative factor, emotional stress, and also in focal inflammation

Thus, the pathogenesis of leukocytosis is most often due to protective mechanisms - the activation of leukocyte function. Given the variety of types of colorless blood cells, pathogenesis is also variable:

• Monocytosis - increased activity of phagocytes
• Neutrophilic protection - activation of phagocytosis in infections, inflammations in chronic form
• Eosinophilic variant of leukocytosis - protection against aggression of allergens, compensatory antihistamine action

It should also be noted that in autoimmune pathologies, leukemia, the protective function of leukocytes is reduced due to the hyperactivity of immunity.

[15], [16], [17], [18]

Symptoms of the leukocytosis in a newborn

Symptoms of newborn leukocytosis in 99% of cases are not manifested. As a rule, there are only indirect signs of an increase in white blood cells in the baby's blood. In adults, the symptomatology is more pronounced and can be expressed in such signals of the body:

• permanent fatigue.
• weakness and low-grade fever.
• skin rashes.
• periodic bleeding from the nose.
• increased sweating.
• fainting.
• hair loss or slow growth.
• disorder of coordination of movements.
• deterioration of visual acuity.
• dyspnea.
• sleep disorders.
• periodic uncaused muscle pain.
• weight loss in normal diet.

Recall that leukocytosis in newborns can be caused by two categories of factors:

1. physiological.
2. pathological:
   • Physiological leukocytosis associated with eating disorders is manifested by the fact that the baby cries, screams. More precisely, it is the intense crying of a baby that can provoke an increase in leukocytes in the blood, in adults such a condition happens after heavy physical labor, overstrain. No less acute, the newborn responds to the temperature regime, with hypothermia the baby becomes sluggish, inactive. These are symptoms that are caused by purely physiological causes. They can not be considered threatening the life of an infant, as they are easily eliminated.
   • Symptoms of pathological leukocytosis in newborns are most often typical for the clinical picture of the disease, which can trigger a shift in the leukocyte formula. Similar conditions of newborns are observed in case of their premature birth, or if the mother of the child has already had an infectious disease during pregnancy. Infections that affect the baby's gastrointestinal tract are manifested in the form of diarrhea, increased gas production, and colic. Septic tissue or organ damage is accompanied by an increase in temperature. Viral diseases are also clinically manifested in characteristic signs - the temperature rises, mucous discharges from the eyes, nose appear, skin rashes are visible. Such cases for a newborn are considered dangerous, and doctors take all measures to stabilize the baby's condition. Timely and competent treatment eliminates the root cause of pathological leukocytosis, respectively leukogram also comes to normal indicators. In newborns, this occurs within 3-5 days, if the blood test does not improve, the doctor is looking for a more serious reason for the leukocyte shift. The main task at the same time is to eliminate the cause of the life threatening to the baby, such pathology can be congenital leukemia in acute form.

First signs

The first signs of leukocytosis in newborns, as a rule, are invisible. If the baby was born without obvious symptoms of the disease, any pathologies, a blood test is taken as a standard prophylactic procedure. Recall that leukocytosis is not considered a life-threatening indicator, a disease or a diagnosis, it is a sign of all kinds of deviations in the work of human systems and organs. Therefore, the first signs that disturb the child, which the mother of the child notices or the obstetrician, can be attributed to the already developing disease in one form or another. The number of leukocyte cells can be increased for various reasons. The most common of these are:

• Physical activity of the newborn, hyperactivity, which causes muscle overexertion and, as a consequence, a change in the leukogram.
• Overeating or deficiency of nutrients. The baby's organism can react first of all in a protective way - by increasing the white blood cells in the blood.
• Sharp change in temperature conditions. Newborns are very sensitive to such a factor, the reaction to cold or overheating may result in a change in the number of white blood cells.
• Long-term crying, which in turn is most often due to the above reasons. When crying baby strains, activation of muscle tissue leads to a change in the norm of leukocytes in the blood.
• Reaction to the first vaccinations, which are done within 3-7 days after birth.

It should be noted that the level of colorless blood cells should be controlled and in the older age of the child. This helps in the timely detection of diseases and serious pathologies. UAC (a common blood test) is a fairly simple procedure that allows to determine various inflammatory, infectious processes at the stage of formation, and most importantly - blood diseases.

What should attract the attention of caring parents, what can be the first signs of leukocytosis?

• The child becomes sluggish, often tired without an objective reason.
• The baby can have bruises that are not caused by bruises or falls.
• The appetite decreases, the kid refuses even his favorite dishes.
• Gradually, the body weight decreases (or is not dialed according to age and height).
• The kid sweats excessively even in the absence of physical activity.
• There may be complaints of headache, discomfort in the abdomen.

The first signs of this kind are not a cause for panic, but they should pay attention and seek advice from a doctor (pediatrician or obstetrician if the child is less than a year and a half).

[19], [20], [21], [22]

Stages

The stages of leukocytosis in newborns, as a rule, are not fixed. You can talk about various mechanisms that provoke a leukocyte shift in the blood test, as well as the features of factors that affect the level of increase in leukocytes.

Recall that leukocytosis - a deviation of the number of white blood cells from a fixed age.

Mechanisms for changing the leukogram can be as follows:

1. Serious pathological processes, including oncological diseases. Panmyelosis (panmyelosis) - proliferation of blast cells of the bone marrow, proliferation, which includes the increase of leukocytes in the blood.
2. Hyperactive, accelerated formation of leukocytes due to inflammatory processes, when all organs, systems, including pituitary-nadochechnikovaya work in an intensive regime.
3. In vascular accidents, all organs and tissues (blood depots) that are able to accumulate and release leukocytes work in a more intensive mode, compensating for the negative state in cardiovascular diseases. In babies this can be a congenital heart disease.

The stages of leukocytosis are more correct and more correctly described as species. They are as follows:

• Short-term, transitory leukocytosis, which in newborns is most often provoked by emotional stress or a change in the temperature regime. The leukocyte index quickly returns to normal when restoring the psychoemotional state and returning to a comfortable ambient temperature. Also, a short-term shift of the leukogram can be caused by an infectious disease in the acute form, purulent inflammation, sepsis. Once the disease is stopped, transferred to the stage of recovery, the level of leukocytes begins to strive for normal indicators.
• The physiological factors of leukocytosis are food, myogenic (physical overstrain) causes. This species can also be safely attributed to transient leukocytosis.
• The eosinophilic variant of the increase in leukocytes is provoked most often by an allergic aggressive reaction to medications or to vaccination. Newborns are vaccinated against serum hepatitis in the first hours after birth, and later vaccination against tuberculosis (BCG) is carried out. The first inoculations of the baby's organism can be carried with some transitory complications, which are manifested in increasing the level of eosinophils.
• The shift of the leukocyte formula towards the increase of neutrophils may indicate an inflammatory process or more severe hematological diseases.
• Acute infectious diseases in a child can provoke lymphocytic leukocytosis.
• Basophilic shift in the baby's leukogram can be triggered by an allergic reaction, a lack of micronutrients (most often iron), extremely rare blood diseases.
• Monocytes in newborns perform a peculiar function of "cleansing" of pathogenic substances that the baby should not have. Monocytosis - increasing the level of MON in a baby is often relative, that is, temporary. Absolute monocytosis is already a sign of intense phagocytosis, a signal of active protection and a desire to remove an infectious agent. It should be noted that leukocytosis in newborns in this variant is very rare.

[23], [24]

Forms

Types of leukocytosis in newborns are well studied. Before proceeding to their description, let us consider the basic functions of leukocytes and the varieties of the colorless blood cells themselves.

The main task of leukocytes is to protect and react instantly to everything that happens in the human body, especially it is important for the organs and systems of a newborn baby.

Despite the variety of colorless bodies, their "work" is very organized. Each species rushes to the exact location of the lesion, quickly determines the necessary or alien elements, and cuts and removes harmful substances. If there are disturbing changes in the body, the level of white blood cells rises, most often in the peripheral blood stream, which is actually called leukocytosis.

Types of leukocytes are subordinated to a kind of hierarchy, some of them are more dominant, others play the role of "performers".

The tasks that leukocytes solve in the human body are as follows:

• Direct participation in all protective functions, in the formation of the immune system at the humoral and cellular levels.
• Metabolic function. Penetration in the digestive tract (gastrointestinal tract), participation in the transport of essential nutrients into the bloodstream. This is very important for babies who receive breast milk. In this way the newborn receives protective immunoglobulins.
• Leukocytes perform lysis (dissolution) of the destroyed elements, take part in the histolysis of damaged tissues.
• Some types of leukocytes perform a morphogenetic task, helping to form organs and systems at the stage of embryonic development.

Briefly about the types of white blood cells:

1. White Blood Cells is the common name for leukocytes (WBC).
2. NEU - the main defenders of the body against bacterial infection - neutrophils.
3. MON (MO) - monocytes.
4. EOS or eosinophils.
5. LYM - the main cells that "fight" with a viral or bacterial infection, lymphocytes.
6. BAS - young, immature lymphocytes or basophils.

In accordance with the functions of leukocyte subspecies, an increased number of white blood cells as a diagnostic feature is also divided into such types:

1. Physiological or redistributive. An increased number of white blood cells are organized in an organized way across the vascular system between organs
2. Reactive (absolute) indicates a serious change in leukopoiesis, that is, it is considered a sign of an active reaction to the pathology of infectious, inflammatory, allergic etiology

Thus, the types of leukocytosis can be considered either transitory signs of a normal physiological process, or evidence of the presence of the disease.

Leukocytosis in newborns within the first 2-3 days after birth in most cases is not a threatening symptom and is fixed as temporary, physiological. In the redistribution type, there is no significant change in the leukogram, the total number of white cells does not exceed the norm, only the level of individual types of leukocytes varies. Absolute type of leukocytosis is also a common phenomenon in the analysis of the blood of newborn babies, this is explained by the following reasons:

• Response to the first two vaccinations
• Subcooling.
• Nutritional factor.
• Muscle tension when crying.
• Rarely - as a reaction to congenital pathology, or disease of viral, infectious etiology, acquired in the first hours after birth.

In adults, the relative leukocytosis is very rarely determined routinely, more often - randomly. It is usually associated with overstrain, including emotional, Absolute, the symptomatic shift of the leukocyte index is fixed already as an alarm signal, and indicates the presence of primary clinical signs of the disease. This condition requires a doctor's appointment, the appointment of comprehensive diagnostic measures and adequate treatment.

[25], [26]

Complications and consequences

Consequences and complications of leukocytosis can be associated with the root cause of an increase in the blood of white cells, that is, with an etiological factor. In 85-90% of the consequences and complications of leukocytosis in newborns are not recorded. It should be remembered that the elevated level of this or that type of white blood cells is not a diagnosis, not a disease, but a symptom.

If the baby's leukogram does not show the norm in the dynamics, then the doctor prescribes an additional examination to find out the exact cause of the shift in the leukocyte formula, promptly identify, clarify the disease. The consequences of a diagnosed pathology depend on the form, the course of the process and the prescribed treatment.

One of the most serious complications can be considered the consequences of an inflammatory, septic, infectious process, massive blood loss or pathologies associated with intrauterine infection. Also, the negative consequences are fraught with blood diseases, hemolytic syndrome, leukemia (in newborns such cases are recorded very rarely), leukemia, congenital heart disease, cerebral ischemia, hydrocephalus.

The list of complications and consequences of leukocytosis, associated with serious pathological processes:

• Vascular diseases of ischemic nature - frequent headache, poor sleep, delay of mental, physical and cognitive development.
• Hydrocephalus - a delay in the development of mental abilities, myalgia, delayed development of psychomotor, disability.
• The defect of one of the heart valves (VPS) is endocarditis of bacterial etiology, frequent acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory diseases, pneumonia, dyspnea, delay in physical development.

[27], [28], [29], [30], [31], [32]

Diagnostics of the leukocytosis in a newborn

Diagnosis of leukocytosis in newborns can occur on the first day of its appearance. Primary blood sampling occurs immediately after birth within 24 hours. It is produced to determine the ability of the baby to adapt and to eliminate serious pathologies obtained in utero. Blood is taken from the umbilical cord, analytical material is checked for the presence or absence of various infections - hepatitis, venereal diseases, which could pass into the baby's body from the infected mother. Repeated analysis, the so-called heel test, is prescribed on the 3rd or 4th day, it is designed to exclude genetic pathologies. Neonatal screening, UAC (general clinical blood test) of a newborn is shown to everyone without exception, blood sampling is carried out from the kid's heel. Diagnosis of leukocytosis in newborns can be delayed and transferred to the seventh day for infants with a deficit in weight or in case of premature birth (premature babies).

The structure of the blood of the newborn is specific and differs from the analysis of older children (from a year and up). Even the percentage of blood and body weight is incomparable with that of adults. As soon as the child is born, the amount of his blood is about 14% of the mass, then this figure decreases to 11%, later to 7-6%. All systems and organs of the child enter a complex adaptation period and are actively developing, the blood does not stand still, it is a mobile substance. This causes the change in blood values and is taken into account in a diagnostic sense. The most actively formed and exposed to changes in the blood cells, included in the list of types of leukocytes. Analysis, diagnosis of leukocytosis in newborns is needed to identify or exclude life-threatening diseases. Frames of the norm in babies are wide enough, with time and growth of the child they narrow. Leukocytosis in newborns is often not considered a deviation from normal boundaries and is fixed as physiological. Immediately after birth, the infant can be diagnosed with a level of 10-33 × 10 ⁹ / l, with neutrophils (up to 75-80%) prevailing in the blood as segment-nucleated cells that help form the immune system. Later the leukogram can show the numbers 6-7 × 109 / L.

Approximate ratio of leukocyte species in the blood of a newborn:

• The largest group is neutrophils, up to 80%
• Lymphocytes - up to 25%
• Monocytes - up to 10%
• Eosinophils - up to 3-4%

Note that on the first day of birth, lymphocytes are activated in the infant, suppressing the number of neutrophils, but later, on the fourth day the leukocyte formula changes, the level of colorless protective cells is equalized. In the diagnostic dictionary, this phenomenon is defined as a cross.
Here is another list of age-related white blood cell counts in the human blood:

• Newborns - 10-27 - 33 × 10 ⁹ / l.
• From birth to 1 month - 7-8-13 × 10 ⁹ / l.
• From 1 ode to 3 years - 6,0 - 17,0 × 10 ⁹ / l (according to other sources of norms - 5-12 × 10 ⁹ / l).
• From 3 years to 6 years - 5-10 × 10 ⁹ / liter.
• Children of school age under 16 years - 5-9 × 10 ⁹ / liter.
• Adult people - 4-9 × 10 ⁹ / liter.

Diagnosis of leukocytosis in newborns is planned, as part of the schedule of blood sampling for preventive purposes. The interpretation and interpretation of indicators is the prerogative of a physician, most often leukocytosis in infants is defined as a physiological norm.

[33], [34], [35]

Analyzes

Analyzes that are shown to newborn babies are, in effect, mandatory screening of their health, an integral part of the standard survey, preventive diagnostic measures for the timely detection or exclusion of all sorts of diseases. Under the condition of early diagnosis, almost all diseases are amenable to successful treatment, and the risk of complications is minimized.

The first analysis is obtained literally at once half a birth, when a material from the umbilical cord is taken to clarify the blood group of the newborn. Analysis taken from the toe (heel) of the baby is carried out on the third or fourth day of stay in the hospital for the exclusion of hereditary pathologies (neonatal diagnostics). The blood material taken from the heel can also show changes in the health status of the baby, the level of hemoglobin, ESR (protein fraction ratio or erythrocyte sedimentation rate), the distribution of white blood cells, including leukocytosis.

As a rule, such diagnostic measures help to monitor and timely neutralize various inflammatory, infectious diseases, bacterial aetiology, to see how successfully the baby's organism adapts to the new conditions of life outside the womb. In addition, a newborn's blood test shows how the baby can tolerate the first vaccinated (according to the protocols) (BCG, against hepatitis B). Repeated examination, collection of capillary material determines the reaction of the organism to the introduced weakened vaccination strain. The analysis is taken on an empty stomach, as feeding a baby can distort the clinical picture and the detected leukocytosis will be associated with a food factor. An additional diagnostic examination is prescribed according to the indications, in cases of suspected serious pathology or when leukocytosis is a reactive species. The list of measures includes urine analysis, x-rays, blood biochemistry, ultrasound examination of organs, extremely rarely biopsy, puncture of bone marrow material.

Usually, repeated analysis reveals the results within the limits of the norm, the white blood cell counts in the baby quickly return to the indicated standards, and the happy mother can be discharged home on the 5th-6th day after the birth. All information, which was determined in the analysis of the baby, is fixed in the epicrisis and recorded in the personal medical card of the baby.

[36], [37], [38]

Instrumental diagnostics

Instrumental diagnosis involves the definition of the norm or pathology with the help of special equipment, the leukocytosis is revealed by a different method - blood sampling. In the context of this article, when we consider the increase in the level of leukocytes in newborns, the blood is taken by a sterile disposable scarifier, most often from the leg, the heel of the baby. Hardware diagnostics can be prescribed as a supplement when the primary UAC (general clinical blood test) showed significant and persistent deviations from normal boundaries.

A little more detail about what the UAC reveals and what can reveal instrumental diagnostics.

1. Neonatal mandatory blood examination (or heel test) is necessary for determining genetic diseases, congenital pathologies - hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex, hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria, disruption of the pancreas, liver, cystic fibrosis and others.
2. Blood sampling from the umbilical cord to ascertain the leukocyte formula to identify or exclude hepatitis B, venereal diseases that the mother could transmit to the baby in utero.
3. Instrumental diagnosis in the form of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) for the purpose of additional examination of children with trauma at birth, with suspicion of CNS diseases, malformations of brain formation and development, hydrocephalus, lung disease, abdominal cavity, bone system.
4. Echocardiography as an instrumental diagnostic method is indicated if there is a suspicion of cardiac dysfunction, CHD is a congenital heart disease.
5. Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, if there are signs of deformity or insufficient development of the relevant vital organs.

In most cases, instrumental diagnostics in the diagnosis of the health status of an infant is not used. For a complete prophylactic examination of a newborn, a simple visual examination, comparison of anatomical and physiological data with age norms, a general clinical blood test, and monitoring the child's development in dynamics are sufficient for the physician.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis of leukocytosis helps to clarify the root cause of leukogram changes. The blood test is not considered a direct indicator of the diagnosis, just as increasing the level of leukocytes can not be considered a specific symptom of a disease. This is especially important in the differential diagnosis of the state of health of newborns, in which the formula, blood composition can change literally every minute. Organs and systems of the baby after childbirth go through a complex adaptation stage and work in a non-standard mode, which can not but affect the blood indicators.

Differentiation of analytical information requires specification, comparison of the number of leukocyte species (neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, basophils, eosinophils), anamnesis, and other information about the baby. Another important role in differential diagnosis is played by the practical experience of the obstetrician, his ability to see the general clinical picture and to isolate the main parameters that may threaten the health of the child.

Let's recall the basic basic concepts about leukocytes and leukocytosis.

Leukocytosis is the activation of leukopoiesis (the process of hematopoiesis), when the indices of certain subspecies of white blood cells deviate from the prescribed norms. There is a conditional demarcation pointing to the boundary between physiologically explainable disorders and pathology - leukocytosis and hyperleukocytosis.

• Hyperleukocytosis. The hyperexpansion of the level of leukocytes in an adult is 40 000-50 000 in 1 mm ³
• Leukocytosis. With physiological changes in the leukogram in adults, the level of leukocytes may be 8000-9000 per mm ³

Differential diagnosis of leukocytosis in newborns is due to the difference in the functioning of leukocyte species. For example, elevated lymphocytes most likely indicate the presence of a particular virus in the body, and an increase in the level of neutrophils - about the introduction of bacteria, leukocytosis reactive in the form of a large number of leukocytes - a disease of an infectious nature. However, in the case of a newborn, this information needs to be refined, specific, taking into account the specifics of infant blood standards.

Let's take a closer look at the most typical signs, indicators of the leukogram that can correspond to certain diseases:

1. Elevated lymphocytes, whose level significantly exceeds the norm in conjunction with a decrease in neutrophil defense, can speak of a viral disease in acute form. At the same time, the number of monocytes remains practically unchanged. Also, similar indicators that do not change in dynamics are one of the signals about intracellular parasitic infection (eg, mycoplasmosis).
2. Aspiration to the upper limit of norms from monocytes and LYM (lymphocytes), to the lower one - from the side of neutrophils can be a sign of a chronic protracted process or VUI (intrauterine infections).
3. A significant excess of the boundaries of the normal level of neutrophils and monocytes and simultaneous suppression of lymphocytes is a sign of a purulent bacterial process, especially if such indicators are combined with the discharge of mucus from the nose, eyes, and cough.
4. Elevated neutrophil counts on the background of a decrease in lymphocyte activity, but not reaching the extreme limits, may indicate a chronic infection of bacterial etiology (eg, local bacterial disease of the nasal sinuses).

In any case, differential diagnosis of leukocytosis in newborns requires a comprehensive approach. In addition to analyzing the parameters of the blood structure, the doctor can prescribe the examination of the child by specialists of a narrow profile, additional instrumental diagnostics (ultrasound, tomography, x-ray), biochemical blood tests, smears to detect bacterial microflora.

Treatment of the leukocytosis in a newborn

Treatment of leukocytosis in newborns is not carried out because the excess of the norm of white blood cells is not an independent disease.

Treatment of leukocytosis is rather a treatment of the underlying cause, which provokes a shift in the leukogram. Therapeutic assignments are directly related to the type of pathology, disease and its etiology, depends on the condition of the child at the time of birth and the pathological process, and with other factors.

Inflammatory processes in different forms and stages are treated with specific drugs that do not cause side effects, infections are stopped by a group of antibiotics of the last generation, transient physiological leukocytosis is not subject to treatment in principle and does not require any medical procedures.

A little more detail about the treatment of leukocytosis in newborns, depending on the type and condition detected, the disease:

• The relative shift in the leukogram, the physiological appearance of the leukocytosis, is a normal phenomenon that is neutralized along with the disappearance of the provoking factor. For example, myogenic leukocytosis, when the baby cries for a long time. As soon as the baby calms down, just a few hours later, the level of white blood cells comes to normal. A similar reaction on the part of the blood formula can also be observed with a food factor that causes leukocytosis. Elimination of problems in the nutrition of the newborn, saturation of the body with the necessary substances of the baby leads to the normalization of the leukogram.
• The reactive form of the change in the structure of the blood requires additional examination. If the doctor nevertheless diagnoses any pathology, the newborn can be assigned such groups of medicinal preparations:
  • antibiotics;
  • antiviral drugs;
  • steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
  • group of antihistamines.

In more serious situations, when there is a threat to the health and life of the baby, cytostatics (chemotherapy), leukophoresis, plasmapheresis and other procedures associated with diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs can be prescribed.

Medications

Medicines that can be prescribed to reduce the level of white blood cells are selected taking into account the revealed disease, the psychometric parameters of the baby and the severity of his health. It should be remembered that the newborn's immune system is only being formed and is not yet capable of functioning as a full-fledged protection, including from drug poisoning. Therefore, medicines for babies are selected very carefully and only in cases when the doctor has a choice - to give the opportunity to develop and work immunity, or to maintain health and life in general.

It should also be remembered that almost the entire group of antibiotics is able to depress a specific link of immunity and suppress nonspecific resistance (resistance) to infectious agents. This information is especially important in the therapy of newborns, since their protective system is imperfect and has a low level of resistance.

Let's consider some kinds of medicines, indications to their purpose, dosages and possible consequences of their reception.

1. Antibiotics, which are prescribed for leukocytosis, associated with the inflammatory process. According to statistics, purulent-inflammatory pathologies provoke reactive, prolonged leukocytosis, such diseases are diagnosed most often in premature infants. Cells and humoral units of the immune system are undeveloped in such babies, protective functions are reduced. Typically, in 80% of small infections are detected - a rash in the form of abscesses, otitis, pneumonia, pemphigus and meningoencephalitis are much less likely to be diagnosed.

Characteristics of drugs that can potentially be used in the treatment of inflammation, infections in newborns:

• Penicillin group is prescribed extremely rarely, drugs of this category are considered obsolete and carry many side effects, especially for a newborn baby. Benzopenicillins can only be used as a prophylactic measure for suspected congenital TORCH infections, mixed infections of unclear etiology, urinary tract infection, or syphilis. Babies show predominantly aminopenicillins. Ampicillin as a drug is effective in streptococcal infection, when a massive staphylococcal infection is detected. However, the ampicillin group may be ineffective due to its ability to hydrolyze with lactase. The period of taking ampicillin to newborns should not exceed 7 days, it is prescribed in combination with gentamicin. Side effects can be:
  • allergy;
  • cutaneous localized rashes;
  • eosinophilia;
  • respiratory tract spasms;
  • convulsive syndrome;
  • diarrhea;
  • hyperkalemia.
• Aminoglycosides. The most common drugs in this group are amikacin, neomycin, gentamicin. Medicines have a wide range of effects on foreign infectious agents, especially effective against streptococci, Enterobacteriaceae-aneteroviruses, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Do not work in case of anaerobic infections. Adverse adverse effects of these drugs are expressed in otitis, renal intoxication, overdose is fraught with diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). The most safe in this sense is the antibiotic of the last generation - netromycin.
• Cefazolin from the group of cephalosporins. This medicine is the first generation of cephalosporins, effectively neutralizes pneumococci, group A streptococci, some types of staphylococci, Klebsiella. A specific specificity of the appointment of cephalosporins to newborns is due to the ability of drugs to disintegrate under the influence of gram-negative microbial infection. Cefazolin can be shown as a drug of choice in the sporadic form of a bacterial infection, with pyoderma.

Cephalosporins of 2 generations for newborns are contraindicated and not prescribed, unlike ceftriaxone, which already belongs to the third generation of this category. Claforan, ceftriaxone are able to stop strains of staphylococcus aureus, epidermal infections, meningococcus. Most often this group of drugs is prescribed as an addition to the penicillin group, 7 days after the initial therapy as a stabilization measure. This method is most effective in detecting generalized infectious inflammation, meningitis of bacterial etiology. Dosage: newborns before the 14th day of life - once a day in a dose not exceeding 20-50 mg / kg of the baby's mass. The duration of the course, as a rule, does not exceed 7 days. Possible adverse reactions are allergic rashes, fever, erythema polymorph, diarrhea, vomiting. Quite often, the baby's organism reacts to antibiotics of this range with leukocytosis, which is considered a normal indicator of immunity resistance.

• Acute viral diseases in newborns are treated with interferon group drugs. Medicines of this category are issued in various forms, for babies the most convenient are suppositories, suppositories, suspensions. Interferons have an antiproliferative effect, stimulate immunity, stop viral infections. Viferon, geneferon combine well and interact with drugs of other groups, practically do not have a negative impact on the body in the form of side effects.

Vitamins

Vitamins in the therapy of newborns are almost not used, especially when it comes to leukocytosis. If the baby is born without visible deviations in development, without pathologies and receives breast milk, additional vitamins are not required. The whole complex of vitamins and micro-substances it receives from mother's milk or artificial milk mixtures. An exception may be a deficiency of cholicalciferol (vitamin D), its deficiency is fraught with rickets, fragility and vulnerability of the infant's musculoskeletal system. Also, a newborn can feel the need for an additional amount of vitamin K, this happens against the background of taking antibiotics or steroid preparations. The necessary dose for newborns is 11-12 mcg, if phylloquinone (vitamin K) is not enough, the child is threatened with hemorrhagic hemorrhages. Deficiency of vitamins can be supplemented both by supplementary feeding (dry mixes) and by the rational, balanced nutrition of the mother, which gives the child everything needed in the form of breastfeeding.

Vitamins for a newborn who has been diagnosed with leukocytosis:

• Vitamins are needed to maintain an immature immune system. The doctor usually appoints a multicomplex preparation that works to fill the deficiency of trace elements, a certain group of vitamins.
• Vitamins are prescribed for the prevention of diseases, for example, rickets.
• Vitamins are needed for a newborn in cases when leukocytosis is a sign of acute inflammation, the baby has undergone complex treatment and needs maintenance therapy, including vitamin therapy.

Note that in nature there are no vitamins that can reduce or increase the level of leukocytes in the baby's blood. If the doctor diagnoses beriberi in a newborn, this is more likely to indicate a deficiency of vitamins in the mother, including breast milk. Therefore, to take vitamin medications need a nursing woman, a specific dosage, the regimen is prescribed by the treating gynecologist or pediatrician, who supervises the development of the newborn.

Physiotherapeutic treatment

Physiotherapy treatment of newborns who have leukocytosis is usually not prescribed. This can be explained by the properties of procedures, equipment, which do not influence the level of leukocytes.

In pediatrics, physiotherapy is considered a rather popular method of maintenance therapy. Such procedures have almost no side effect, are safe, effective with their competent appointment. Targeted impact on the baby's systems and organs can be a good, generally fortifying device, which allows to restore the baby's health after the disease.

Nevertheless, with leukocytosis, physiotherapeutic treatment is not used because of such contraindications:

• . High body temperature, which often happens when the level of leukocytes increases as a reaction to inflammation or an infectious disease.
• Cardiovascular disease, a sign that can also be leukocytosis in newborns.
• The presence of an infection in the body, including bacterial.
• Bleeding, hemorrhage, hemorrhage.
• Suspicions for the disease of genetic etiology.
• Tumor process, oncopathology, diseases of blood and hematopoietic organs.
• Sepsis, intoxication, including medication.
• Convulsions.
• Any disease that occurs with obvious symptoms and in acute form.

Physiotherapeutic treatment as a fortifying procedure is often prescribed for premature babies in the stage of their adaptation, when the body weight is already within the limits of the norm, the body tends to restore.

Rules of physiotherapeutic procedures for newborns:

• all procedures are scheduled for the morning or within the first half of the day.
• physiotherapy is not performed before feeding, the procedures are shown 1-2 hours after ingestion (in this case, breast milk or artificial mixture).
• The course of physiotherapy for a baby is usually 5-7 procedures.

Indications for physiotherapeutic treatment of newborns are determined by the obstetrician, taking into account the anamnesis, anatomical and physiological indices, the level of nervous excitability, the presence of possible deviations from the norms, including the blood formula.

What can be prescribed to the baby as a physiotherapy?

1. Local administration of drugs in combination with electrocution, or electrophoresis. This method allows you to adjust the dosage of the drug, it is also suitable for the introduction of funds that activate blood flow.
2. Physiotherapy with laser (infrared radiation). The procedures have a wound-healing effect, anti-edematous effect, and also promote the redistribution of lymph in the tissues. Less often, laser therapy for a newborn is shown as an additional anti-inflammatory method. Laser procedures work fine as postoperative rehabilitation therapy.
3. Magnetic physiotherapy is prescribed for inflammatory processes in the respiratory system, respiratory organs, during recovery after treatment of the gastrointestinal tract.
4. Massage is the most popular method in pediatrics for physiotherapy of newborns. Regular massage sessions treat well almost all diseases associated with the musculoskeletal structure. Massage is also effective in detecting excessive nervous excitability, in some cases after treatment of pneumonia (according to indications).

Alternative treatment

Alternative treatment and the status of a newborn should not in principle be considered together in a serious discussion. Especially when it comes to a newborn baby who has elevated white blood cells. Changes in blood composition in principle are not a disease that must be treated, including alternative methods. This is a diagnostic criterion, one of many, indicating both the physiological, temporal factor, and possible disease.

Nevertheless, there are "curious" moms who continue to experiment and apply all possible alternative treatment to their baby. Therefore, it is worth recalling once again that such leukocytosis as it manifests, what it says and whether it can be eliminated with the help of alternative methods and recipes.

Elevated leukocytes are first of all a sign of protective functions of the body, an answer to various factors that are uncomfortable for the baby.

Leukocytosis can be temporary, one that is considered physiologically acceptable and pathological.

• The relative form of leukocyte shift is associated with physical activity, temperature, eating or, conversely, lack of nutrition.
• Reactive leukocytosis can indicate a disease that has already developed or its beginning, it all depends on what kind of white blood cells went beyond the norm.

If the leukocytosis in newborns is caused by infection, inflammation, other serious illnesses, the treatment of the underlying cause is prescribed by the doctor. This rule regarding the therapy of newborn infants should be unshakable. Neither the advice of friends, acquaintances, parents, nor, especially, recommendations from the Internet, can not be considered acceptable as a therapy for the baby.

Alternative treatment can be used only with the permission of a doctor-obstetrician and most often it can be an external way of applying phytotherapy. For example, bathing in the decoction of herbs, lotion, wiping with a napkin soaked in herbal infusion. Internal use of phyto-drugs is limited to drinking dill water with increased flatulence. Perhaps, this is all that can be used as an alternative treatment for a newborn baby. As for leukocytosis, it can not be eliminated or neutralized by phytotherapy, moreover, uncontrolled use of such methods can harm a baby.

Adult patients who have leukocytes in their blood counts may try additional drugs for basic therapy, including those from the category of "traditional treatment".

Recipes:

• Decoction of field horsetail, which contains in the composition of silicon, potassium salts, carotene, tannins, saponins, vitamin C, flavonoids. 2 tablespoons of dry herbs pour 400ml of cold water, insist in this form for about an hour, note boiled for 10 minutes. Chilled liquid is taken on a teaspoon three times a day, the course - two weeks.
• Infusion of lime, lime color. Flowers are rich in flavonoids and essential oils, also includes carotene, some B vitamins, tannin, phytoncides, glucose, antioxidants. The infusion is prepared simply as tea is brewed. A handful of lime-colored flowers are poured into the container, poured with boiling water, cover and keep the liquid in closed form for about 5 minutes. The filtered lime tea can be drunk at will, as much as you want for two weeks.
• Some decrease in leukocytes can occur if you regularly drink a broth of dogrose and raisins. This combination activates the immune system, strengthens the cardiovascular system. A handful of raisins, a tablespoon of dry rose hips, pour boiling water, cover it and stand for 6 hours in a thermos bottle of 1, 5 liters. The broth is drunk in a warm form for 100 milliliters twice a day. The course can last up to 21 days.

Help to cope with the negative factors that cause leukocytosis in newborns can either eliminate the cause of the physiological nature (food regime, nutrition, comfortable environment, warmth), or drug treatment. Also, to strengthen the protective function of the immunity of the child can be fed by mother's milk. It contains enough substances that contribute to the normal formation of organs, tissues, the gastrointestinal tract, including the cellular and humoral links of the immune system.

[39], [40], [41], [42], [43], [44], [45]

Herbal Treatment

Treatment with herbs of a child aged from birth to six months (up to 1 year) is most often not used. An exception may be the external application of herbal decoctions, infusions (bathing), compresses, less often - drinking a special decoction of fennel seeds with excessive gas production.

When leukocytosis treatment with herbs is not applied, however, you need to consider the effect of the composition of breast milk on the protective functions of the baby's body. That is, the nursing mother can try to add phyto-drugs to the diet, if this really improves the quality of milk. Consequently, treatment with herbal mothers indirectly can affect the health of the newborn.

Recipes that are in the category of "herbal treatment" should be carefully studied and checked, better in cooperation with the attending obstetrician. We must not forget that the myth of the safety of herbal medicine is really a myth. There are many plants that can harm the body, including quite serious.

Let's consider some ways of phytotherapy, application of vegetative infusions, broths:

• Mom kid can try a course of decoction of berries and leaves of cranberries. This method strengthens the immune system, improves the composition of breast milk. Cowberry is rich in useful substances, vitamins (vitamin C), it has many components that have antipyretic effect. There are microelements that tonic the nervous system, improving the structure of the blood. External use of cowberry decoction helps as a wound-healing agent. The broth is prepared as follows: 50 grams of dried leaves or 1, 5 tablespoons of berries are filled with a glass of steep boiling water. The infusion is left for 30 minutes, then placed in a saucepan in a water bath and boiled again for 20-25 minutes. Chilled to room temperature, take before meals on a teaspoon - 2-3 times a day for 10-14 days. Before eating cowberries broth, a breastfeeding woman should consult a pediatrician and a treating doctor - a gynecologist.
• Birch buds are a unique natural remedy that helps with many pathological conditions, of course, provided that they are correctly and dosed. The kidneys contain ester compounds, betulenic acid, flavonoids, iron, calcium, magnesium, carotene, vitamin C, tannic microelements, saponins. Such a rich composition of the kidneys makes it possible to use them as an additional treatment for inflammatory processes, as a general restorative, as a prescription stopping a bacterial infection, as a decongestant phytopreparation. Also the decoction of birch buds and leaves positively influences the rhythm of blood circulation, participates in the regulation of blood composition. How to cook a broth? A tablespoon of raw materials (preferably bought in a pharmacy, tested and packaged in proper conditions) is filled with 1, 5 glasses of hot boiled water. The liquid is boiled for about 20 minutes in the "slow fire" mode. The strained agent is used as a drink after a meal (after 30-40 minutes), the dosage is a tablespoon, in the morning and in the evening, the course is 10 days. Then there is a break for 2 weeks and the course can be repeated as a restorative and preventive method against viral and infectious diseases.
• A mixture of dried flowers of chamomile and nettle is also quite an effective tool that helps to strengthen the body and cope with various kinds of inflammatory processes. A tablespoon of chamomile and a teaspoon of chopped dry nettle is placed in a thermos (1 liter), poured with boiling water and insisted for 1 hour. Hot chamomile tea is drunk on half a glass twice a day, the course does not exceed 10 days, then it should be shown to the doctor and undergo a routine examination. Such a prescription is not an independent type of treatment, it only complements the basic course of therapy.

Nursing mother before receiving decoction of birch leaves and kidneys should consult a pediatrician and her gynecologist. Birch buds are a fairly strong remedy, so the appointment of a dose, a regimen for taking a decoction should still be entrusted to the doctor.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy, on the one hand, is considered a popular and safe method, on the other hand it is still a little-studied and not generally accepted way of traditional treatment. Homeopathy and leukocytosis is a combination that is rarely found in the practice of pediatric neonatologists. Perhaps this is explained by the fact that homeopathic drugs are more often prescribed for older children. As for newborns, they are given a chance to cope with the increased level of white blood cells on their own, with the help of an emerging immune system.

Nevertheless, homeopathic doctors claim that their dosage forms are effective in treating many diseases, including diseases of newborn babies.

Selection of homeopathy for infants is a serious matter, requiring detailed information about the child himself, as well as about his parents. The main principle for a homeopath is traditionally the rule - the minimum dose and the fastest effect. An experienced doctor will necessarily ask your mother and father about the state of their health, then about all the features of the baby, about his anatomical and physiological parameters. Also, a visual inspection of the newborn is necessary to specify the drug's choice, dose and course of treatment.

What problems can a newborn solve homeopathy?

• Correction of the process of adaptation after birth. Violation of adaptive functions often provokes leukocytosis in newborns. An auxiliary means in such cases may be the Etozacanum. Method of application - dissolve 3 grains in a teaspoon of boiled water. Give as a drink 15-20 minutes before the scheduled feeding. The duration of the course can be up to 14 days.
• Regulation of the digestive process. The drug antimonium kludum helps to cope with unwanted air intake during sucking, belching. 2 grains dissolve in breast milk or boiled water (a teaspoon), give the child twice a day to drink the course 5-7 days before the neutralization of the symptom.
• Irritability, screaming, physical overexertion can provoke leukocytosis in a newborn. To cope with this state will help Nux vomica. The drug is prescribed only by a doctor, who determines the dosage - how many drops and in what mode can give the baby. As a rule, doctors recommend using the drug sublingually, the newborn is prescribed 1 drop three times a day before feeding, a course of 10 days. Then check the health indicators, it is possible and the delivery of a scheduled blood test. If necessary, taking Nux vomica is prolonged for a week.

Homeopathy in the treatment of leukocytosis-provoking diseases is the responsibility, knowledge and practical experience of the obstetrician. Independent use of homeopathic medicines is unacceptable in the same way as self-medication with other medications, especially when it comes to the health of a newborn baby.

Prevention

Prevention of leukocytosis in newborns is a measure that helps the formation and strengthening of the immune system of a baby. Also important is the prevention of a healthy mother, on which much depends, first of all, how long the baby will receive the much-needed breast milk.

Bringing the leukocyte formula to the norm is a complex process, since leukocytosis is not considered a diagnosis, it is just one of the indicators of deviation from the leukogram boundaries and a sign of a possible disease. Thus, the prevention of leukocytosis is the neutralization of the risks of all sorts of diseases in the baby.

We list some recommendations for prevention:

• A pregnant woman should regularly undergo preventive examinations at a gynecologist, take timely tests to determine or exclude the presence of IUI (intrauterine infections)
• The good, nutritious nutrition and lifestyle of the expectant mother is also an important component in the prevention of potential infant diseases.
• Abandonment of bad habits should be mandatory for a pregnant woman. Smoking, drinking alcohol can play a sad role in the inadequate, pathological formation of the baby's organs and systems.
• The newborn has the right to breastfeeding. Mother's milk is one of the most important factors affecting the healthy growth of organs, bone, and muscle tissue and the formation of immunity.
• Timely conduct of the examination, blood tests help in the prevention and reduction of the risk of diseases in the newborn. A leukogram deviating from the norm may be a single case when leukocytosis is explained by a physiologically acceptable factor. Pathological leukocytosis requires repeated analyzes and more detailed diagnosis. These measures are also included in the complex of preventing the development of inflammation, infectious damage to the child's body.
• Mandatory routine vaccinations help the baby cope with the potential threat of serious illnesses. Vaccinations against hepatitis, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis and other pathologies should be the norm, not the desire or subject of doubt for a caring mother.

Prophylaxis of leukocytosis in newborns is a complex measure that relates to both the period of pregnancy and the first year of life of the baby, when the threat of diseases is quite high, and the baby's body is very vulnerable.

[46], [47], [48], [49], [50], [51],

Forecast

The prognosis is favorable in 85-90% of cases. Talk about an unfavorable outcome in detecting an elevated level of leukocytes in the blood can only be in case of serious pathology - the tumor process, blood diseases, hematopoiesis, hereditary abnormalities, TORCH-infections.

Physiological leukocytosis passes very quickly, the blood test comes back to normal as soon as the provoking factor disappears. A more serious indicator - a reactive increase in the level of leukocytes is also not considered a full-fledged reason for an unfavorable prognosis. Diagnosis, determination of a specific nosology, adequate treatment in conjunction with the protective functions of the baby's immune system allow one to hope for a virtually 100% favorable outcome and prognosis.

Leukocytosis in newborns is most often a reaction to changes in the functioning of the organs and systems of the infant. As one of the signs, analytical parameters, leukocytosis needs additional information to clarify the diagnosis or confirm acceptable physiological age-related deviations. Leukocytosis is not a reason for parents' panic, but only information that the doctor needs for full and competent management, monitoring the formation of the body and the state of the child.

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