One of the most commonly prescribed studies in both adults and children is a clinical or general blood test (OAK). This is ensured by its simplicity, accessibility and high information content. For the first time, children encounter it even at birth to obtain data on their current state of health. Also in infants, the norm of a clinical blood test differs from that in adult children under 16 years of age.
What is a clinical blood test
A clinical blood test is considered a standard analysis in medicine and is assigned in the first place when contacting a medical institution. It owes its name to belonging to general clinical research methods according to the accepted classification.
Three types of general study of blood can be distinguished:
- Narrow research (involves the study of one or two parameters).
- Standard (up to ten parameters are studied).
- Advanced (explored more than 10 parameters).
One of the main tasks of the analysis is the study of red blood cells - red blood cells, which consist of hemoglobin, which stains a red cell, white blood cells - white blood cells that do not have a coloring pigment. In addition, the amount of hemoglobin, ESR and color index are being studied.
Also, when conducting studies, it should be borne in mind that when decoding a clinical blood test, the norms in children differ from those in adults. What can be explained by differences in the body's metabolic level, the characteristics of the nervous system and the different course of the disease.
Psychological preparation for a blood test
Speaking of very young children who are not yet aware of their identity, it should be noted that the responsibility in such cases lies entirely with the mother. And her state of psychological health is completely reflected in the condition of the child, so you can not worry before the procedure, so as not to pass this state to the baby.
From the moment the child realizes himself to be an independent person, he begins to confront others, which can lead to various conflicts. In addition, children are more likely than adults to experience a sense of fear that can be dealt with by adding a few good positive emotions. Also, before analysis, you need to remain calm so as not to complicate the situation.
How to prepare a child for a clinical blood test physiologically
Children have a moving psyche, which must be handled delicately, but the preparation should be not only psychological, but also physiological, in order to minimize the stress experienced by the child.
One of the requirements for a small patient before the procedure is refusal of food, that is, blood sampling is carried out in the morning on an empty stomach. But this is not as an obligatory rule as before biochemical analysis, but you should still adhere to this advice.
Any physiological measures are also important, because in children the blood volume in relation to the body is much greater than in adults. Therefore, before visiting a doctor, it is necessary that the child has a good night's sleep, as this can affect red blood cells. In addition, it is necessary to empty the body from toxins and other harmful substances by visiting the toilet. This can affect the quality of the biological material. Also, the child should not be subjected to physical exertion, in order to avoid distortion of the norm of the clinical blood test in children.
Blood test transcript
Currently, all laboratories are equipped with special equipment, which allows minimizing the efforts of laboratory assistants, in order to get a result, it is enough to put the seized material into the equipment and wait for the study to finish. As a result, patients receive a leaflet with all the indications, but what do they mean? It is not always possible to find out from a specialist. Then people turn to specialized literature for help or more often to resources on the Internet. They try to find out all the deciphered norms of the clinical blood test in children, which may differ from those in adults.
The norms of the content of various blood elements in children
Such data, reflecting the norms of the content of blood elements, are needed in order to understand in what range are the indicators necessary to determine the presence of pathology in the children's body.
The norm of a clinical blood test in children up to a year in terms of parameters is:
- by color indicator from 0.74 to 0.91% (ICSU);
- lymphocytes from 38.1 to 72.1% (LYM);
- eosinophils from 1.1 to 6.15% (LYM);
- basophils from 0 to 1% (BAS);
- segmented neutrophils from 15.1 to 45.2%;
- stab neutrophils from 1.1 to 5.0%;
- erythrocytes from 3.61 to 4.91 x 10 12 cells / l (RBC);
- reticulocytes from 3 to 12 ppm (RTC);
- white blood cells from 6.15 to 12.0 10 9 cells / l (WBC);
- ESR from 2.0 to 2.12 mm / hour (ESR);
- monocytes from 2.0 to 2.12% (MON);
- nemoglobin from 99 to 138 g / l (Hb);
- platelets from 180.5 to 400 x 10 9 cells / l (PLT).
The norm of a clinical blood test in children under 6 years of age according to the parameters is:
- by color indicator from 0.82 to 1.05% (ICSU);
- lymphocytes from 26.1 to 60.1% (LYM);
- eosinophils from 1.1 to 6.15% (LYM);
- basophils from 0 to 1% (BAS);
- segmented neutrophils from 25.1 to 65.15%;
- stab neutrophils from 1.1 to 5.0%;
- erythrocytes from 3.51 to 4.51 x 10 12 cells / l (RBC);
- reticulocytes from 2 to 12 ppm (RTC);
- white blood cells from 5.1 to 12 10 9 cells / l (WBC);
- ESR from 2.0 to 2.10 mm / h (ESR);
- monocytes from 2.0 to 2.10% (MON);
- hemoglobin from 109 to 144 g / l (Hb);
- platelets from 180.5 to 400 x 10 9 cells / l (PLT).
The norm of a clinical blood test in children under 12 years of age according to the parameters is:
- by color indicator from 0.82 to 1.05% (ICSU);
- lymphocytes from 24.1 to 54.1% (LYM);
- eosinophils from 1.11 to 6.16% (LYM);
- basophils from 0 to 1% (BAS);
- segmented neutrophils from 35.1 to 65.2%;
- stab neutrophils from 1.1 to 5.0%;
- erythrocytes from 3.5 to 4.7 x 10 12 cells / l (RBC);
- reticulocytes from 2 to 10.77 ppm (RTC);
- white blood cells from 4.3 to 10 x 10 8 cells / l (WBC);
- ESR from 2.0 to 2.09 mm / h (ESR);
- monocytes from 2.0 to 2.10% (MON);
- hemoglobin from 113 to 147 g / l (Hb);
- platelets from 155 to 379 x 10 9 cells / l (PLT).
The norm of a clinical blood test in children under 16 years of age according to the parameters is:
- in color from 0.79 to 1% (ICSU);
- lymphocytes from 24.9 to 53.8% (LYM);
- eosinophils from 1.12 to 5.1% (LYM);
- basophils from 0 to 0.99% (BAS);
- segmented neutrophils from 39.9 to 64.6%;
- stab neutrophils from 1 to 5.3%;
- erythrocytes from 3.58 to 5.09 x 10 11 cells per liter (RBC);
- reticulocytes from 1.99 to 10.88 ppm (RTC);
- white blood cells from 4.4 to 9.7 x 10 9 cells / l (WBC);
- ESR from 2.1 to 2.13 mm / hour (ESR);
- hemoglobin from 114 to 150 g / l (Hb);
- monocytes from 2.0 to 2.10% (MON);
- platelets from 157 to 390 x 10 9 cells / l (PLT).
Color setting
The determination of this parameter is carried out only if the analysis is carried out manually, and it shows the amount of hemoglobin in the red blood cells. In connection with the hemoglobin content, three values of this parameter are distinguished:
- Hypochromia. In this case, hemoglobin is almost absent in the cell, because of this the cell nucleus has no color.
- Normochromia. This value, based on the name, corresponds to the norm of a clinical blood test in children and the color of the nucleus is slightly lighter than the color of the circle, and differs from the color of the red blood cell.
- Hyperchromia. This condition corresponds to cell oversaturation with hemoglobin, and the color of the body of the red blood cell cannot be distinguished from the shade of the nucleus.
Sedimentation rate of erythrocytes
By determining the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or ESR, you can identify a huge number of deviations. If the speed is increased in relation to the indicators of the table of norms of the clinical blood test of children, then this may indicate dehydration, starvation or the presence of excessive physical exertion. If the excess of the norm is significant, then this can be a sign of the development of an infection, the process of inflammation or poisoning by organics. A more accurate diagnosis can be made by studying other parameters of the analysis.
White blood cells
White blood cells mean all white blood cells and are divided into:
- Granular white blood cells.
- Non-grainy.
The first group includes basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils. To the second - platelets and monocytes. An increased content of white blood cells in the blood may indicate the development of an infection, inflammation or leukemia in the child's body. The possible presence of rubella viruses, AIDS, measles or hepatitis, radiation sickness will be indicated by a lower content of white blood cells. A more accurate diagnosis is also performed by studying additional indicators and comparing them with the norms of a clinical blood test in children.
Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are an integral part of human immunity, they are distinguished by a large number in the general blood test. There are two pathological conditions associated with the number of lymphocytes in the studied biological material:
- Lymphocytosis
- Lymphopenia
Lymphocytosis or an increased content of lymphocytes in comparison with the norm may indicate:
- the presence of leukemia;
- poisoning caused by salts or heavy metals;
- infections of various origins;
It is also possible due to the use of medicines or substances that cause an increase in the level of lymphocytes, for example, honey or aloe.
The causes of lymphopenia can be:
- tuberculosis bacillus;
- HIV
- chemotherapy course;
- the use of radiotherapy;
- the presence of radiation sickness;
- taking drugs that contain hormones;
- allergy;
- lupus.
Eosinophils
Eosinophils are called white blood cells that are susceptible to the eosin dye. This dye can detect this type of blood cells on a glass slide. In addition, they are capable of phagocytosis. The increased content of eosinophils in the blood indicates the presence of diseases such as:
- helminthiasis;
- autoimmune diseases;
- allergy;
- infections
- cancerous growths.
Content below the norm can cause various origins of inflammation and sepsis, as well as heavy metal poisoning.
Basophils
Basophils - a group of white blood cells, which is the largest of them. They participate in the first stage of the immune response, especially during an allergic reaction. They can also carry immunoglobulin granules and prevent the entry of poisons into the body.
An elevated basophil level may reveal the following pathologies:
- nephrosis;
- anemia;
- allergy;
- myeloid leukemia;
- Hypotherisis
- chickenpox;
- diseases of the spleen.
Reduced levels of this blood element may occur due to the use of certain antibiotics as an atypical reaction.
Neutrophils
Neutrophils are white blood cells that perform a phagocytic function and die after fulfilling their purpose. In connection with the level of neutrophil content, 2 pathological conditions are distinguished:
- Neutrophilia (the content of this element is in excess of the norm).
- Neutropenia (the content of this element is below normal).
In neutrophilia, pathologies such as heart attack of various internal organs, bacterial invasion, sepsis, bleeding, abscess are possible. Neutropenia can occur due to chemotherapy and radiotherapy courses, due to genetic diseases, thyrotoxicosis, leukemia, or viral invasion.
Red blood cells
Red blood cells are cells that contain hemoglobin. They play an important role - they deliver oxygen to tissues and remove carbon dioxide. With a lack of this shaped element of blood, the occurrence of such pathologies is possible:
- dehydration;
- asthenia of the cardiovascular system;
- erythremia;
- renal artery stenosis.
Reduced red blood cell count is possible due to:
- insufficient protein in the diet;
- blood diseases;
- anemia
- poisoning by organics poisons.
Reticulocytes
Reticulocytes are called red blood cells by doctors who have not yet reached their maturity. Their content in children's blood exceeds their number in adults. This fact can be explained by the fact that the body itself is younger in children, and the growth factor has a major effect.
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is a blood element characterized by the ability to retain and transport oxygen. This is possible due to the content of iron molecules. The increased hemoglobin content can be explained by:
- erythremia;
- congenital heart disease;
- dehydration;
- pathologies of the heart;
- diseases of the urinary system.
Reduced hemoglobin content is possible due to:
- leukemia;
- thalassemia;
- large blood loss;
- exhaustion of the body;
- iron deficiency
- lack of vitamins.
Monocytes
Monocytes are the most active phagocytes of all white blood cells. There are 2 states, depending on their amount in the blood:
- Monocytosis (content above normal).
- Monocytopenia (level content below normal).
Monocytosis is possible due to:
- autoimmune diseases;
- phosphorus poisoning;
- myeloma;
- lymphogranulomatosis.
The causes of monocytopenia can be:
- anemia;
- sepsis;
- the use of corticosteroids;
- leukemia;
- surgical intervention.
Platelets
Platelets are nuclear-free biconcave cells that are colorless and play an important role in blood coagulation. With thrombocytosis, pathologies such as:
- tuberculosis;
- cancerous tumors;
- physical overload;
- open injuries;
- malfunctioning or removal of the spleen.
With a reduced platelet count (thrombocytopenia), the following are possible:
- anemia;
- DIC;
- prematurity;
- hemophilia;
- lupus;
- enhanced metabolism.
Despite the fact that basically all children have the same standards for the content of blood cells, the amount of which is revealed during the clinical analysis, do not forget that there are exceptions. Therefore, one should not try to independently establish diagnoses without proper education, and if a deviation from the norm is detected, it is better to consult a doctor for advice.