Soe in the blood of newborns. The norm of ESR in the child’s blood and possible reasons for the deviation of the indicator. Leukocytes or white blood: evolution of the immune system

Let's find out what ESR is, what is the norm in children, and should we worry if the criterion deviates?

The normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a laboratory criterion determined during a general blood test in children. The need for determination is due to its high sensitivity to any pathological changes in the child’s body. However, ESR is characterized by extremely low specificity and cannot be used as a basis diagnostic method research.

This is due to the fact that the ESR level may increase with autoimmune pathologies, infectious diseases, post-traumatic conditions, severe stress, etc.

Due to their negative charge, red blood cells (erythrocytes) repel each other and do not stick together. When the immune system is activated, active synthesis of protective proteins begins: blood clotting factor I and immunoglobulins of various classes. Both factors influence ESR and act as a connecting “bridge” for red blood cells.

As a result, the process of red blood cell clumping is activated. The resulting aggregates of red blood cells are much heavier than individual cells and settle faster in the liquid medium of the blood.

Thus, the presence of specific proteins is the first sign of activation of the immune response to infection or internal pathologies, and an increase in ESR is additional confirmation of this process.

On what factors does a child’s ESR depend?

The ESR indicator in children is extremely sensitive to many external and internal factors. Among them, the quantitative content of protective specific proteins in the bloodstream that respond to infectious microorganisms and tumor neoplasms.

An increase in low-density lipoproteins (“bad cholesterol”), the bile pigment bilirubin and bile acids. In this case, there is a significant increase in ESR.

The main reasons for increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate are infectious diseases, tumors and autoimmune inflammatory processes.

How to take an ESR test for children?

The accuracy and reliability of the result depends on how correctly the preanalytical stage (preparation and collection of biomaterial) is implemented. According to statistics, on average, more than 70% of errors are made at this stage. The consequence is the need for a repeat blood test, and the procedure for taking biomaterial is unpleasant for children.

Biomaterial for ESR analysis:

• venous blood taken from the cubital vein on the child’s elbow;
• capillary blood that collects from the baby’s ring finger or heel.

Venous blood is collected using a sterile vacuum system and a butterfly needle, which significantly speeds up and makes the procedure as safe as possible. The advantage of the vacuum system: no contact of blood with external environment and minimal risk of hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells in a test tube), which makes the analysis impossible.

Capillary blood is collected using a scarifier with a needle stop. Modern scarifiers for children control the depth of needle insertion and automatically hide the blade after a puncture, making it impossible to reuse.

After the puncture, the first drop of blood is removed with a clean cotton swab, and collection begins with the second drop. This technique allows you to prevent random impurities from entering the test tube. Special pressure or squeezing of the child’s finger should be avoided, which can lead to distortion of the analysis result.

Preference should be given venous blood, since the risk of premature clotting or hemolysis is significantly reduced compared to capillary.

How to prepare a child for analysis?

The collection of biomaterial is carried out in the morning, preferably on an empty stomach. For infants, a minimum interval after last appointment food 2 hours, children under 5 years old - 5-6 hours, older patients need to wait at least 8 hours.

Important: to facilitate blood collection, the child should be given unsweetened water. This will make the blood less viscous and reduce the risk of false results.

It is important that the child is in a calm state. If possible, it should be explained that the procedure will not cause harm and is necessary for his health, and unpleasant feeling the injection is mild and short-lived.

ESR norms in children by age in the table

The results of the blood test must be deciphered by the attending physician, and the information in this section is presented for informational purposes only.

The ESR norm for a child is selected taking into account age. In addition, it is impossible to establish a final diagnosis based on one parameter, so the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is assessed in conjunction with other studies ( general analysis blood).

The table shows the norm of ESR in the blood of children by age according to the Panchenkov method.

For example, if the results of a blood test for a 5-year-old child indicate an ESR of 10 mm/h, then this is considered normal.

It should be noted that the normal ESR in a blood test for children is 3, 5, 10, etc. years is identical for both sexes. The indicator has no gender differences. However, in girls during menstruation the rate can increase to upper limits norms.

Detection of an ESR of 16 mm/h in a child over 15 years of age is considered acceptable. In this case, the analysis should be repeated after a few weeks.

Why does ESR increase in children?

The reasons for the increase in the indicator are different, so only a doctor can prescribe treatment.

When collecting a medical history of a small patient, laboratory and instrumental methods research, as well as the presence and severity of symptoms of the disease. As necessary, the most complete family history of the child is collected, taking into account genetic predisposition to hereditary pathologies.

It should be understood that a slight deviation from the norm has no diagnostic significance. So, if you one year old child An ESR of 11 mm/h is considered acceptable and may indicate a recent infection (the test should be repeated after 2 weeks).

Most common cause An increase in ESR is an infectious disease, predominantly of a bacterial nature.

Inflammatory processes various localizations, burns of varying degrees and mechanical injuries are also among the reasons for deviation of the criterion from the norm.

Also, the level of erythrocyte sedimentation rate may increase if the patient has malignant diseases. A significant excess of the norm is observed in the following oncopathologies:

• multiple myeloma (Rustitsky-Kale disease), location – Bone marrow. In this case, the value of the criterion reaches critical values. The disease is characterized by excessive production of pathological proteins, leading to the formation of “coin columns” - multiple aggregation of red blood cells;
• Lymphogranulomatosis (Hodgkin's disease) affects people regardless of gender and age. This pathology is striking lymphoid tissues. The ESR level is of primary importance not for identifying pathology, but for determining its course and assessing the effectiveness of selected therapeutic methods.

Other malignant neoplasms are also accompanied by an upward deviation from the norm. There is a direct correlation (dependence) between the degree of criterion deviation and the stage of cancer. Thus, the highest ESR values ​​are typical for terminal stage and spread of metastases to neighboring organs and fabrics.

Reasons for decreased ESR in a child

Low ESR, as a rule, does not have clinical significance. Most often, this situation occurs during fasting, low muscle mass, compliance vegetarian diet etc.

In rare cases, a similar situation is observed in the case of pathological change morphology of red blood cells, preventing their sedimentation. Among them:

• hereditary Minkowski-Choffard disease (spherocytosis), in which hemolysis of red blood cells occurs against the background of genetically determined damage to structural proteins in their membrane;
• sickle cell anemia – congenital disease, in which red blood cells acquire an elongated shape.

Option physiological norm A temporary decrease in the indicator in a child as a result of prolonged diarrhea, dehydration or after vomiting is considered. However, after the body is restored, the ESR value should return to within acceptable limits.

Methods for restoring ESR in children

In order to choose the right therapy, it is first necessary to determine the exact reason why the indicator is outside the normal range. Due to the low specificity of the criterion, the doctor prescribes additional diagnostics:

• determination of the value of C-reactive protein, which makes it possible to establish the fact of inflammation and differentiate viral infection from bacterial;
• a comprehensive biochemical blood test that allows you to evaluate the functioning of all systems and organs;
• evaluate other indicators of a general blood test (in particular, a detailed leukocyte formula);
• analysis for the presence of helminths, as well as cysts and vegetative forms of protozoan microorganisms;
• Ultrasound of various organs;
• fluoroscopic examination of the lungs.

Further recommendations in case of non-compliance with the standards of the ESR indicator depend on established cause. Thus, a bacterial infection can be treated with antibiotics. Important: antibacterial drugs is selected exclusively by the child’s attending physician, taking into account the minimum acceptable age for the medicine and the presence of contraindications.

In 2015 At the Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, she completed advanced training in the additional professional program “Bacteriology”.

Laureate of the All-Russian competition for the best scientific work in nomination " Biological Sciences"2017.

A general, or clinical, blood test includes the determination of several indicators, each of which reveals a specific aspect of the condition of the child’s body. One of the lines of the table in the form obtained as a result of the procedure is indicated by the abbreviation “ESR” and often raises questions among mothers - what does it mean and how to determine whether this indicator is within the normal range? Let's try to understand this issue.

What is ESR and what is its norm in children’s blood tests?

This abbreviation stands for “erythrocyte sedimentation rate.” ESR allows you to estimate the average mass of red blood cells. The time it takes for the cells to sink to the bottom of a special flask depends on the weight of the red blood cells. It is impossible to make a specific diagnosis based on ESR alone. However, doctors can draw a conclusion about the condition of the body by jointly assessing the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and other indicators of a general blood test.

In the majority medical institutions ESR in children is determined by one of two common analysis options - the Panchenkov or Westergren method.

In the first case, blood taken from a child's finger is mixed with a special substance that prevents clotting. The resulting mixture is placed in thin test tubes, so-called glass capillaries, in order to measure the height of the lightened column of blood plasma cleared of settled red blood cells after an hour.

The Westergren method is considered more accurate. The main difference between this method and the one described above is that blood is taken not from a finger, but from a vein. At pick up capillary blood Some external factors may reduce the accuracy of the result obtained. For example, cold or physical exercise often lead to vasospasm - as a result, the characteristics of the material change, and the results of the analysis for determining ESR in children become less accurate. The use of venous blood helps to avoid such distortion. Otherwise, the Westergren method is not much different from the Panchenkov method: there are some discrepancies in the ratio of preservative and pure blood during the mixing process, and glass capillaries are replaced by special graduated test tubes.

The normal ESR for newborns is considered to be 2–4 mm/h; from 1 to 12 months the boundaries are much wider – from 3 to 10 mm/h. For children aged 1 to 5 years, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is 5–11 mm/h. At an older age, the norm depends on the gender of the child. ESR in boys aged 6 to 14 years should be in the range of 4–12 mm/h, and in girls – 5–13 mm/h.

Blood collection procedure

A general blood test for ESR in a child can be both part of preventive procedures and a diagnostic measure in identifying inflammatory diseases on the early stage.

It is not difficult to prepare a child for the test - blood is taken in the morning on an empty stomach, and the night before you need to limit the baby only to eating food with increased content fat By the way, there are no dietary restrictions for newborns. Doctors do not recommend taking a general blood test if the small patient is tired or depressed - these factors can affect the accuracy of the results.

Red blood cells have the ability to deform - by changing their shape, they can move through vessels whose diameter is smaller than the cell itself.

A laboratory technician or doctor carries out the procedure wearing disinfected or disposable rubber gloves, using sterile instruments. Most often, blood is taken from the fourth finger of the left hand, carefully wiping it with a cotton swab moistened with alcohol to eliminate the risk of infection. Using a special instrument, the doctor makes an incision on the baby’s finger, wipes the escaping blood with a cotton swab, and then puts a few drops on a glass plate with a recess that already contains the reagent. The doctor pours the resulting mixture into a glass capillary and then sets it in a vertical position to measure the level of settled red blood cells after an hour.

This whole procedure lasts no more than 10 minutes. Since blood collection involves an injection, the procedure cannot be called absolutely painless. Therefore, it is important to talk to the child in advance and explain in a way that is understandable to him that there is no need to be afraid of the doctor - this way you will reduce the child’s anxiety level.

Decoding the results of a blood test for ESR in children

As we have already noted, increased or reduced level ESR can be the result of various natural causes not associated with diseases. For example, exceeding the normal ESR limit may indicate an inflammatory process in the child’s body, infectious diseases, injuries, or work disorders immune system, and about the use large quantity fatty foods or the period of teething.

Reduced ESR often means poor blood clotting and circulation problems. If the baby has recently suffered severe poisoning, exhaustion or dehydration, then the erythrocyte sedimentation rate may be below normal. Also, a low ESR may indicate viral hepatitis.

What to do if the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is increased or decreased?

First of all, don't panic. If all other indicators of the general blood test are in order, and the baby’s well-being has not changed for the worse, then, most likely, fluctuations in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate are caused by external factors. But in order to make sure that the child’s health is not in danger, you can take a repeat blood test for ESR after some time, for example, after 2-3 weeks. If the indicator has not returned to normal, you should consult a doctor - most likely, he will prescribe clarifying diagnostic procedures, based on the general condition of the child.

Processes occurring in children's body, one way or another affect the composition and quality of blood. That is why tests for ESR, levels of platelets, leukocytes and other blood cells should become a regular procedure for children, because diseases identified at an early stage are much easier to treat. It should also be borne in mind that the result of the study can only be deciphered by an experienced doctor.

The health of the child is the most important question for every parent. Young children often undergo examinations by a pediatrician to monitor the overall health and well-being of the baby. The most meaningful way to monitor the body and promptly identify certain disorders is a clinical (or general) blood test. Using it, you can determine the levels of such indicators as: leukocytes, red blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, and are also extremely important ESR indicators in the blood of children. ESR is the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, red blood cells that tend to combine with each other and precipitate. Any pathological processes in the body can significantly affect the level of ESR. Increased ESR the child may talk about inflammatory processes and the development of certain diseases, decreased - about circulatory failure or, for example, an increase in albumin concentration. Before sounding the alarm, mothers and fathers need to carefully study how much is the normal ESR in the child’s blood test and possible reasons, affecting this indicator.

What is the norm for ESR in a blood test in children?

Normal ESR levels are different in children and adults. It should be noted that each baby is individual, but there are still acceptable ESR limits that doctors rely on, and a significant deviation from which gives grounds to prescribe additional research. The value of the indicator varies depending on the age and gender of the child. Therefore, the ESR norm in children under one year old and, for example, the ESR norm in a 6-year-old child will not be the same.

Standard values ESR in children (in millimeters per hour):

• Newborns in the first month of life - from 2 to 4 mm/h;
• Infants from 1 month to a year - from 3 to 10 mm/h;
• Children from one to 5 years old - from 5 to 11 mm/h;
• Girls 6-14 years old - from 5 to 13 mm/h;
• Boys 6-14 years old - 4-12 mm/h;
• Girls 14 years and older - from 2 to 15 mm/h;
• Guys from 14 years old - 1-10 mm/h.

It should be noted that the scope of the indicator increases the older the child becomes, because the values ​​may differ depending on individual characteristics.

If a child has an ESR of 10 and this is slightly lower or higher than the norm, but the other values ​​are good, then there should be no cause for concern, most likely a temporary manifestation or a personal characteristic. But still, for peace of mind, you need to check with your doctor, because sometimes an ESR of 15 may indicate troubles and problems in the body.

ESR 20-25 or an increased value of 10 units or more, we can talk about inflammatory processes in the body or the presence of serious infections. In this case, a pediatrician should analyze the situation and prescribe additional treatment. examination to identify the root and eliminate problems in the body.

An ESR of 30 in a child may mean advanced or chronic diseases that require compulsory treatment. Treatment may take several months.

A detected ESR of 40 or higher in a child is global problems in the body, which must be immediately detected and course therapy initiated in order to improve the health situation.

Reasons why increased ESR in the blood of a child

In order to establish the presence of a disease or inflammation in case of elevated ESR only when this fact is confirmed by an additional examination, at least a blood test. biochemical analysis blood, urine test, external examination. And also, if necessary, bacteriological analysis of sputum and urine, x-ray chest, ECG, ultrasound abdominal cavity, consultation, if necessary, with an infectious disease specialist, otolaryngologist, gynecologist (urologist). After all detailed methods Research will help detect diseases, including hidden ones.

If a child has an elevated ESR in the blood and there are deviations in other blood parameters, most likely there is a viral or bacterial infection in the body. High ESR in a child’s blood in most cases indicates one of the following pathologies:

• Allergy;
• Intoxication and poisoning;
• Sore throat, ARVI, diseases respiratory tract;
• Malfunctions thyroid gland;
• Inflammatory or purulent processes in organs and tissues;
• Deterioration of immune function;
• Any types of injuries;
• Previously untreated viral disease.

In addition to various pathological processes There are a number of physiological reasons, in connection with which, in young children, the cause of increased ESR may be:

• Teething period;
• Lack of certain vitamins;
• Reception medicines containing paracetamol (ibuprofen).

A high ESR in a child’s blood may occur after recent stress. It is important to know that an increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate can be associated with several factors, for example:

• Overweight child;
• A sharp decrease in hemoglobin;
• Allergic predisposition;
• Vaccination against hepatitis.

If the ESR is constantly elevated for a long time, and the examination results do not reveal any diseases or pathologies, perhaps this is simply a physiological trait of your child’s body. In current hospitals and clinics, the Panchenkov method is used to determine the ESR level. But this method sometimes gives incorrect data, especially if the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is significantly increased. If the ESR according to Panchenkova is elevated in children, for the most effective and truthful result, you can re-donate blood in a modern private clinic, where the European accelerated method is most often used - according to Vastergren.

How to treat elevated ESR in children? If the indicator slightly deviates from the norm and the child feels great, there is no need to treat an imaginary disease. For the peace of mind of parents, you can undergo additional testing and take the test again after a while. If the ESR is higher by 15 or more units from the normal limit, in this case it is necessary to eliminate the root cause of this phenomenon, namely the cure of an infectious or viral disease. After complex therapy and recovery, the indicator should return to normal.

Why is ESR below normal in a child?

Reduced ESR in children is much less common than increased ESR. As a rule, this is due to impaired blood circulation in the child, low coagulability and blood thinning. Also, ESR may not reach normal if:

• There are violations in cardiovascular system;
• The child was recently poisoned;
• Recently there have been long-term bowel disorders, dehydration;
• There is general exhaustion of the body;
• Diagnosed with viral hepatitis.

Dear parents, if you have any concerns regarding your child’s health, consult a pediatrician, and do not invent non-existent diagnoses, and especially do not self-medicate. Health to you and your baby!

A general blood test is one of the most affordable, fastest and safe ways evaluate the work internal organs And general state child. After receiving a form with test results, parents, as a rule, are lost in the abundance of complex and incomprehensible terms.

In order to have an idea about the health of the baby even before going to the pediatrician, it is important to know what exactly each indicator means, how it is deciphered, and what values ​​are recognized as normal for a child of a particular age category.

In addition to the level of platelets, leukocytes and other essential components blood, in laboratory conditions one more is being studied, no less important indicator- ESR. Most parents only know about ESR that increased values talk about the beginning of the inflammatory process.

It is not always so. Many factors can affect the erythrocyte sedimentation/binding rate (abbreviated as ESR), for example, the size of leukocytes, blood consistency and its composition.

The erythrocyte sedimentation/binding rate is an indicator of a nonspecific type that characterizes the speed of interaction of erythrocytes and their connection with each other. It is important to understand that the ESR level alone does not give a complete picture of the health of the child’s body.

We can talk about pathologies and deviations only in two cases:

• the ESR level differs significantly from the norm for at least 10 days;
• Along with fluctuations, there is a deviation from the norm in other indicators (for example, the content of leukocytes, platelets, etc.).

blood test to determine elevated ESR levels

In order to assess the rate of red blood cell binding, it is enough to take a blood test (general). It runs in morning time, no later than 3-4 hours after waking up. Before performing it, you must exclude any food (a small amount of clean water is allowed).

For getting reliable result Do not rub your fingertips before submitting the material for analysis. Many parents believe that such manipulations will reduce the sensitivity of children's fingers. This is wrong. From pain These actions will not get rid of it, but they may well influence the result of the analysis.

• at least once a year if the child is healthy;
• at least once every six months if the child often suffers from colds and infectious diseases;
• at least 2 times a year - for children under 3 years of age;
• before each preventive vaccination(according to the vaccination calendar).

If, according to the results of the Westergren ESR analysis, the ESR is elevated, the vaccine cannot be given. You should retake the analysis and see what the results turned out to be. If the level again exceeds valid values, the child needs mandatory examination, since there is a high probability of developing an inflammatory process.

In some cases, the doctor may refer the baby for testing within a few days. This is necessary in cases where the child appears healthy, but the erythrocyte sedimentation rate according to the results of 2-3 studies remains high. If the ESR is elevated for 10 days in a row, there may be hidden pockets of inflammation in the body.

ESR norm for children of different ages

ESR may vary significantly in children of different ages, but it should not go beyond the permissible values.

The speed of interaction of red blood cells is not a constant value and what it will be depends even on the gender of the child. For example, for girls (regardless of age) this indicator may be slightly higher compared to boys of the same age category.

ESR norm depending on the child’s age

The ESR indicator can be influenced various factors, so it is not a stable value and can change with each blood test. If the results of several tests consistently show deviations from acceptable limits, we are talking about malfunctions in the child’s body.

What factors does ESR depend on?

• Gender of the child.

In girls, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is always slightly higher than in boys.

• Anemia.

With a reduced number of red blood cells, their sedimentation rate increases.

• Times of Day.

The maximum erythrocyte sedimentation rate is observed in the period from 10 to 15 hours.

• Presence of inflammatory foci.

Prolonged inflammation leads to a stable increase in ESR.

• Blood composition.

Acute-phase blood plasma proteins help accelerate the binding of red blood cells due to adsorption on their surface.

• Infections (bacterial, viral and fungal).

During development infectious process indicators change a day after signs of illness appear (fever, fever, etc.).

Increased ESR - reasons

An increase in the rate of erythrocyte binding is observed in various inflammatory processes resulting from infectious diseases.

The most common reasons for an increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate are the following:

• tuberculosis;
• measles, rubella;
• sore throat and others bacterial infections respiratory tract;
• anemia (anemia);
• allergic reaction upon contact with irritants/allergens;
• damage to bone and joint tissue (trauma, fractures);
• hemoblastosis;
• whooping cough;
• endocrine pathologies.

Parents should remember that the rate of red blood cell binding returns to normal only 30-45 days after full recovery. Therefore, you should not panic if the ESR level remains slightly elevated for some time after the illness.

False-positive ESR test

In some cases, an increase in the rate of interaction of red blood cells has nothing to do with infections and pathologies in the functioning of internal organs.

In newborns and infants, an increase in ESR is often caused by errors in the mother's diet (if the woman is breastfeeding). In order for the indicator to return to normal, all fatty foods will have to be excluded from the diet. If you can’t exclude it, then at least limit it as much as possible.

Why might ESR be lowered?

Low ESR levels in children are much less common than high ones. If the high rate of interaction of erythrocytes may be the result of the influence external factors, not related to the child’s health, then low almost always indicates serious violations in the functioning of the child's body.

Pathologies of the circulatory system are one of the common reasons why a child’s ESR may fall below acceptable limits. At the same time, the number of red blood cells in the blood remains the same or even increases, but they weakly interact with each other.

If the results of the analysis reveal that the baby has low speed binding of red blood cells, this may indicate one of the following pathologies:

• poor clotting;
• severe blood thinning;
• circulation disturbance.

Intoxication after an infection. Vomiting and diarrhea, which are integral accompaniments of poisoning of any type, lead to dehydration of the body and the accumulation of toxic substances and poisons in the cells of the body. In this condition, a decrease in ESR is almost always observed. The same picture is typical for viral hepatitis.

Cardiac pathologies. Disturbances in the functioning of the heart (dystrophic type) are also accompanied by a persistent decrease in ESR. It is for this reason that all children who have a low erythrocyte binding rate are mandatory should be examined by a cardiologist.

If the ESR is not normal

Almost all parents begin to worry if the indicators laboratory research blood differ from normal values. In the case of ESR, first you should familiarize yourself with the numbers.

What does the difference mean?

Important! It is impossible to draw a conclusion about the presence of infection only from the ESR level, since this indicator is very unstable.

To confirm and clarify the diagnosis, the child will be prescribed additional research, For example:

• C-reactive protein;
• Ultrasound of internal organs;
• urine test;
• rheumatic tests;
• blood test for biochemical parameters.

Some kind of special treatment fluctuations in ESR are not required, since this value is only an indicator characterizing the functioning of internal organs. Therapy for a child is prescribed only if the cause is identified and accurate diagnosis, since it is the elimination of the main factor that determines how quickly the ESR will return to normal.

Dear Oksana!

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is an indicator indicating how quickly red blood cells - red blood cells - stick together, i.e. settle. If the ESR indicator is outside the normal range for age, this indicates that there is a reason that influenced this process. Typically, specialists analyze the overall picture, because ESR by itself cannot indicate the development of any specific disease and cannot be a symptom of pathology. However, it cannot be excluded from the general clinical picture.

ESR norms in children

The normal level of ESR in a child’s blood depends on age:

• Newborns - 0 - 2 mm/h, maximum - 2.8 mm/h;
• 1 month - 2 - 5 mm/h;
• 2 - 6 months - 4 - 6 mm/h;
• 6 - 12 months - 3 - 10 mm/h;
• 1 - 5 years - 5 to 11 mm/h;
• 6 to 14 years old - from 4 to 12 mm/h;
• Over 14 years old: girls - from 2 to 15 mm/h, boys - from 1 to 10 mm/h.

Reasons for increasing ESR

If a child exhibits an increase in ESR, then most often experts assume the presence of some kind of infectious-inflammatory process. In this case, other indicators in the results of a general blood test must also be changed. The child’s behavior must also change, because any infection is accompanied by alarming symptoms And feeling unwell.

In addition, erythrocyte sedimentation rate increases in some non-infectious diseases. It can be:

• Autoimmune or systemic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, bronchial asthma, systemic lupus erythematosus);
• Endocrine diseases(hyper- and hypothyroidism, diabetes);
• Blood diseases, anemia, hemoblastosis;
• Oncological diseases, tuberculosis of the lungs and other organs, myocardial infarction, etc.;
• Injuries.

It should be noted that the erythrocyte sedimentation rate normalizes rather slowly after the child recovers, only after 4 - 6 weeks. Remember if your child has had colds or other infectious or inflammatory diseases at the age of 1.5 - 2 months? If the answer is yes, then to make sure that the inflammation has passed, you can take a blood test for C-reactive protein, because the factor of unresolved infection in the case of pediatric diagnosis is most likely.

There are others, less dangerous reasons increasing ESR. For example, if you are breastfeeding, your blood test could be affected by fatty food or taking certain medications, in particular paracetomol. ESR also increases during teething in children. This may also indicate a lack of vitamins or infection with worms. At allergic reaction in children or heavy feeding before taking the test, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate may also increase.

If we talk about statistics, then infectious diseases are responsible for an increase in ESR by 40%, and by 23% - oncological diseases, 17% - systemic diseases, 8% - anemia, inflammation of the gallbladder or pancreas, intestines, ENT organs, etc., 3% - kidney diseases.

What to do?

First of all, it is necessary to exclude a false result. Take a complete blood test again. If high ESR values ​​are observed over time, then you need to immediately consult a doctor, because the child may require in-depth diagnostics to exclude dangerous diseases. However, you should not worry ahead of time. Sometimes, although rarely, some children have a certain individual feature, manifested in an increase in ESR against the background normal indicators other blood components.

Best regards, Ksenia.