Description

Children with pediatric white blood cell disorders have too few or too many white blood cells. White blood cells, or leukocytes, are part of the immune system. Come from the bone marrow and help to fight infections. Several conditions can cause you to have too few or too many white blood cells.

A low count of white blood cells, also called leukopenia, means that it has very few leukocytes in the blood. Long-term low white blood cell count increases the risk of infections.

A high count of white blood cells, also called leukocytosis, means have too many leukocytes in the blood. This is most often due to an infection.

Types of

There are several types of white blood cells. Each one has their own struggle against the disease activity. These are the main types:

  • Neutrophils. More than half the body's white blood cells are neutrophils. Having too few neutrophils is called neutropenia (noo-troe-PEE-nee-uh). The neutrophils to fight infections caused by bacteria or fungi.
  • The lymphocytes. Very few lymphocytes causes lymphocytopenia (lim-foe-sie-toe-PEE-nee-uh). Lymphocytes, also called T cells and B cells, mainly to protect against viral infections.
  • The monocytes. These white blood cells help the body to get rid of dead or damaged tissue. And help the body's immune response.
  • Eosinophils. Eosinophilia (e-o-sin-o-FILE-uh) is a have too many eosinophils, cells. These cells help with the swelling and irritation, called inflammation. Also help with the parasites and allergies.
  • Basophils. This is the least common type of white blood cells. Basophils have a role in the healing of wounds, asthma and allergic reactions.

Symptoms

The symptoms depend on the type of white blood cell, and if there are too few or too many of them. The symptoms may be those of the infections, the conditions in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue, called autoimmune diseases, allergies and certain types of cancer.

Causes

The cause of pediatric white blood cell disorders depends on the type of white blood cell that is affected.

Neutropenia

The cancer and the terms and conditions that damage the bone marrow can cause this low neutrophil count. Certain medications, infections, and other conditions also may cause neutropenia.

Lymphocytopenia

Syndromes passed through families, known as hereditary syndromes, can cause very few lymphocytes. Lymphocytopenia is also related to infections, cancer, and conditions in which the body attacks its own tissues, called autoimmune diseases. And can be a side effect of some medications or other treatments.

Monocyte disorders

Infections, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and other conditions may cause an increase in the number of monocytes. Toxins, chemotherapy, and other causes can result in very few of the monocytes.

Eosinophilia

Allergic reactions, skin diseases, or infections with parasites are the most common causes of having too many eosinophils, cells.

Basophilic disorders

Allergic reactions or infections can decrease the number of basophils. Certain types of cancer of the blood and other conditions may increase the number of basophils.

Risk factors

The following factors may increase the risk of pediatric disorders of white blood cells:

  • The history of the family.
  • Infections.
  • Cancer.
  • Allergies.
  • The conditions in which the body attacks its own cells, called autoimmune diseases.
  • Certain medications.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of pediatric white blood cells disorder involves a detailed medical history and a physical examination. Blood tests are the key to the diagnosis pediatric white blood cell disorders. Your healthcare provider may order other tests, depending on the cause.

Treatment

The treatment depends on the type of disease caused by the high or low white blood cell count and the underlying cause. Treatment for the infection may involve antibiotics or antiviral or antifungal medications.

Preparing for your appointment

If your child has symptoms that worry you, make an appointment with your child's primary health care professional. Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

Make a list of:

  • Your child's symptoms, including those who seem to does not seem linked to the reason of his appointment, and when they began.
  • Key personal information, including major stresses, recent life changes and family medical history.
  • All the medications, vitamins, or other supplements that your child takes, including the dose.
  • Questions to ask your child's healthcare provider.

Pediatric disorders of the white blood cells, you might ask:

  • What is the likely cause of the symptoms of my son?
  • What are other possible causes?
  • What evidence does my child need?
  • It is this condition likely to go away or to the last?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • There are restrictions that my child needs to follow?
  • Should I take my child to a specialist?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What websites do you suggest?

Be sure to ask all the questions that you have.

What to expect from your doctor

Your child's healthcare provider may ask you questions, such as:

  • Does your child always has symptoms, or the symptoms come and go?
  • How bad are the symptoms?
  • What, in any case, it seems that the symptoms better?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of Pediatric disorders of the white blood cells