Increased ESR in a child. What does this mean, what are the reasons, what to do?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

You can find out a detailed picture of the child's he alth by a blood test. Its important element is the ESR indicator (erythrocyte sedimentation rate). This is a non-specific parameter that is highly sensitive to identify pathologies of an infectious and oncological nature. From the materials of this article you will learn why some children have ESR 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 blood cells are understood as red bodies, which, under the influence of anticoagulants, settle to the bottom of a medical test tube for a certain amount of time.

A similar process occurs in the human body. For a certain time, red blood cells undergo a process of agglomeration and are gradually deposited on the walls of blood vessels. The ESR indicator is not evaluated in isolation, that is, separately from others. He is distinguished by highsensitivity. A change in this indicator signals the development of a certain pathology in the body before the appearance of a pronounced clinical picture.

Methods for determining the ESR value

Today, in medical practice, two options for determining the amount of erythrocyte cell sedimentation are used: the Panchenkov and Westergren method.

The first involves placing biological fluid on 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 tests should be identical.

The Westergren method is the most sensitive, because only venous blood is used for its implementation. When the results of the analysis show an increased ESR in a child, a second test is not required.

Regulatory indicators in children

After the doctor has taken the child's blood, he must place it in a special test tube. In it, under the influence of gravitational forces, red blood cells begin to gradually settle. The task of the laboratory assistant is to measure the speed at which this process occurs.

Normative ESR values vary in children and adults, and also differ depending on the sex of the child. However, there are certain boundaries that allow us to indicate the presence of a pathological process in the body.

The following indicators are considered normal:

• Babies: 2 to 4 mm/h
• Baby under 6:5 to 11 mm/h.
• Teenagers under 14: 5 to 13 mm/h
• Young people over 14: 1 to 10 mm/h
• Girls over 14: 2 to 15 mm/h

Increased ESR in a child does not always indicate the presence of inflammation in the body. To make 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 by a pediatrician. If the specialist does not see the reasons that could lead to the problem, a second test is scheduled by a different method.

High ESR almost always suggests inflammation in the body. However, such an opinion must necessarily be supported by the results of an additional survey. Often a high level of lymphocytes signals a viral infection, and an increase in neutrophils indicates a bacterial infection. Without taking into account the accompanying test data, it is not possible to identify the disease in a child.

Red cell sedimentation may be abnormal in young children if they lack vitamins or were actively teething during testing. In older patients, the body reacts by increasing this blood parameter to stress or strong feelings.

What factors influence ESR in children?

The main factor increasing this indicator isthe presence of an inflammatory response in the body. However, doctors also identify other reasons that contribute to a decrease / increase in the process of sedimentation of red cells.

1. Change in blood pH and viscosity.
2. Decrease in the number of red blood cells.
3. Presence of helminths.
4. Deficiency of vitamins in the body.
5. Stress.
6. Unbalanced diet.

It is important to note that the indicators of erythrocyte sedimentation are those parameters that very slowly return to normal. After an acute respiratory viral infection, a child may experience a high ESR for some time. After about 1.5 months, these parameters will return to normal.

Main reasons for the increase in ESR

As noted earlier in the article, most often the causes of changes in this blood indicator 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 signaled by an increase in ESR in children include the following:

1. Autoimmune processes (lupus erythematosus, scleroderma).
2. Blood diseases (anemia, leukemia).
3. Endocrine pathologies (diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism).
4. Oncology.

In infants, the ESR analysis is usually increased during teething or due to 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 check-upssurvey.

It also happens that all indicators are normal except for the amount of erythrocyte sedimentation. A false positive acceleration could be due to the child being obese, taking certain multivitamins, or being vaccinated against hepatitis.

Monocytes and ESR are elevated in a child

Monocytes are immature blood cells. Their level can also be determined using a general analysis. When detailed information about the functioning of the child's body is required, the leukocyte formula is checked. Elevated and decreased levels of these blood cells indicate disorders. An increase in parameters is called monocytosis. Normally, the number of immature cells should not exceed 11% of the number of leukocytes.

Decrease in the level of monocytes indicates disorders in the immune system. This is commonly seen in anemia, leukemia, and radiation sickness.

Increase in monocytes is observed in 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 needed?

When the red cell sedimentation rate slightly exceeds the norm, the child's condition is stable, there is no reason to worry. For your own comfort, after a short period of time, you can retake tests and make sure that the baby is not in danger.

If the ESR parameters exceed 15 mm/h, this almost always means the presence of an infectious focus in the body. When thisthe indicator reaches about 30-40 mm / h, this is a clear sign of a serious illness, the fight against which may 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 must prescribe the treatment of a specific disease. It usually involves taking antibiotics and antivirals.

Reduced ESR in a child

Reducing the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation usually indicates impaired circulation, poor clotting or blood thinning. The number of red cells 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 readings signal viral hepatitis.

Only a pediatrician can determine the true cause of such a pathology and recommend appropriate therapy.

Conclusion

Very often, parents seek the advice of a pediatrician when the child's ESR is higher than normal. What this means, what are the causes of such disturbances in the functioning of the body, can only be said by a specialist on the basis of a complete diagnostic examination of a small patient. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a serious indicator, so it is not recommended to neglect its values. In case of deviation from the norm,long-term treatment is required. The sooner the course of therapy begins, the higher the chances of a quick recovery.