Establishment of almost any diagnosisbegins with the delivery of a general blood test. Particularly useful is its information for diagnosis of diseases in children. So, the interpretation of the general analysis helps to establish a violation of the norm of leukocytes in the blood of a child, reports on the number of red blood cells, platelets, ESR, hemoglobin.
Answer the question of how to decipher the analysisblood, is not so difficult. The first thing that usually falls on the eyes of a doctor is the level of red blood cells. These components play an important role, because they provide the process of breathing. They carry oxygen to every organ and every cell of the body, and carbon dioxide is taken with them. Erythrocytes contain hemoglobin. The rate of these red blood cells depends on age. Thus, in children from one year there should be no more than 3,6-4,9 × 10¹² erythrocytes per one liter of blood. Reducing the level of blood cells indicates a lack of iron, protein or B12. Excessive amounts of red blood cells can signal the dehydration, chronic heart disease, or the lack of outdoor walks.
Blood clotting is provided by platelets. These components exclude prolonged bleeding. Their norm in a child under one year is 100-420 × 109 per liter. The increase in the number of platelets is usually short-lived, and it indicates the transfer of an infectious disease, the use of certain drugs or iron deficiency. If the indicator is uniquely increased over a long period of time, then this may indicate thrombocytosis. Insufficient amounts of these particles are very dangerous, because even a minor wound can lead to a large loss of blood. Thrombocytopenia may indicate a history of previous infectious diseases or intoxication.
The main function of leukocytes is protection. These are the elements that react very quickly to hypothermia, infection, fatigue, allergic and inflammatory processes. The age depends on the leukocyte count in the blood of a child. So, from the first birthday to 6 months their number varies from 8 to 25, from 6 months to 6-12 years, and from year to 5-12. An increase in the norm of leukocytes in the blood of a child is called leukocytosis. The cause of this phenomenon, in general, is the inflammatory process, although a small increase in their number happens after physical exertion, and even a hearty meal. Lowering the norm of leukocytes in the blood in a child was called leukopenia. It arises with diseases of the spleen, endocrine system, with prolonged use of medicines, etc. To determine the exact diagnosis, the doctor evaluates not only the level of leukocytes, but also the ratio of their main constituents (lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, basophils, eosinophils, basophils).
To find out how pronounced is theinflammatory process, the analysis of ESR (the level of erythrocyte sedimentation) will help. Its norm is 4-12 mm / h. A large indicator may indicate intoxication or kidney disease.
A general analysis of a child's blood suggeststhe detection of the level of hemoglobin, which is responsible for the life-support of individual cells. Normally, it is 110-135 g / l. A smaller amount in the blood indicates bleeding or anemia. Excessive - on the thickening of the blood, which, in turn, is caused by vomiting, dehydration, intestinal obstruction, etc.
