What is the norm of ESR in a blood test in children? This is a common question. We will understand it in more detail.
A complete blood count is one of the most affordable, fastest and safest ways to evaluate the work of internal organs and the general condition of the child. After receiving a form with the results of the analysis, 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 crumbs 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 a variant of the norm for a child of a specific age category.
It is recommended to take a general blood test:
- at least 1 time per year if the child is healthy;
- at least once every six months if the child is often ill with colds and infectious diseases;
- at least 2 times a year - for children under the age of 3 years;
- before each preventive vaccination (according to the vaccination calendar).
The simplest method for diagnosing a wide range of different pathologies is the delivery of a general, or clinical, blood test. Together with standard indicators, the ESR is determined in the framework of the study. This abbreviation refers to the rate at which red blood cells settle. What exactly does ESR show in a child? Should parents panic if the result is different from the norm? Let's figure it out together.
The norm of ESR in the blood in children
ESR along with the abbreviations ROE or ESR is the name of one indicator, which means the speed with which red blood cells settle. Normally, red blood cells have a negative charge, due to which they repel each other and at the same time do not stick together. Sometimes in the blood plasma the amount of protein, in particular fibrinogen or immunoglobulin, can increase. Protein in this case plays the role of a kind of bridge between red blood cells. Such bridges cause aggregation, that is, the process of joining some red blood cells to others. Clumped red blood cells can settle much faster in a liquid blood compared to healthy ones. In a similar situation, such a protein indicates the presence of certain inflammatory pathologies in the body. Directly this analysis makes it possible to recognize them. The norm of ESR in the blood in children is of interest to many.
Red blood cells
For reference, recall that red blood cells, which are ninety percent hemoglobin, are called red blood cells in medicine. Their main function is the movement of oxygen throughout the body. They can also regulate acid and alkaline balance with water-salt metabolism. What is the norm of ESR in the blood of a 3 year old child? Let's consider further.
Research principle
The basic principle of conducting a study on the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is as follows: blood is placed in a test tube, which is mixed with an anticoagulant, namely sodium citrate. As a result of this process, red blood cells are separated from blood plasma, and they subsequently settle to the bottom. The liquid in the top layer becomes transparent. Further, according to its height, it is estimated at what rate the red blood cells settled. Adhering red blood cells are usually heavier, so they will sink faster than their healthy brothers. There is a certain norm of ESR in the blood in children, which you need to focus on when deciphering the results.
Measure the indicator using two methods. So, the Panchenkov method is used, as well as the Westergren method. In the framework of the first method, a capillary is used, and in the second, a test tube. The scale for evaluating the results is also different. Westergren’s technique is more sensitive to an elevated level, and therefore it is used in world practice. The rate of ESR in the blood of a child of 2 years will be presented below.
A normal indicator of the sedimentation rate indicates that no disturbances were detected in the activity of the children's circulatory system, and there is no inflammatory process directly in the body. The normal values characteristic of children of different ages are the following indicators:
- In newborns, the norm of ESR in the blood is 2.0–2.7 millimeters per hour.
- At the age of one to twelve months from 4 to 7 millimeters per hour.
- From a year to eight years, the rate of ESR in the blood in children is 4-8 millimeters per hour.
- From eight to twelve years from 4 to 11 millimeters per hour.
- From twelve years of age and older, the rate of ESR in the blood in children is 3-15 millimeters per hour.
As you can see, as they grow older, the boundaries of normal values expand. A low ESR in a newborn can be due to the peculiarity of protein metabolism in the child's body. Going beyond generally accepted boundaries indicates the development of a disease that proceeds in an acute form, often we are talking about the inflammatory nature of the pathology.
Why may it be necessary to identify the norm of ESR in the blood in children?
When should a child take ESR?
Children are often assigned an ESR analysis as part of preventive measures to diagnose a possible inflammatory process. In addition, the doctor can refer the child for tests if there is suspicion of appendicitis and diseases of the cardiovascular system. A referral to this analysis is also given in case of suspicion of a malignant disease. In addition, an ESR test is prescribed for the child when a small patient has digestive disorders along with headaches, poor appetite, weight loss and discomfort in the pelvic area.
It should be noted that the analysis on ESR does not guarantee the determination of an accurate diagnosis. Identify certain health problems in children only in conjunction with the values of other tests. Thus, this requires a complete clinical picture.
Features of blood sampling in children on ESR
The rules for preparing a child for blood donation at ESR are that the sampling is carried out strictly in the morning, in addition, a small patient must come to the clinic on an empty stomach. As part of the study by the Panchenkov method, blood is taken from the finger. According to the Westergren method, blood is taken from a vein. In the event that such a test is required for an infant, then the biomaterial is taken from the heel. All you need is literally a couple of drops that are applied to the blank filter. Performing this analysis does not pose any danger to the baby.
Capillary blood
In the event that capillary blood is required, then it is taken from the ring finger in children, this technique is anatomically considered more harmless. The finger pad is rubbed with a piece of cotton wool, which is pre-moistened with alcohol. A solution of alcohol with ether is also suitable for wetting. After this, a puncture is made, the first drop is wiped, as it may have a random impurity. Then the blood is collected in a special vessel. It is imperative that the blood flow from the wound on its own, without any pressure, because during the pressure it can mix with the lymph, which can lead to a change in the cellular, and in addition, the biochemical composition of the biological material of the child. This can subsequently distort the result. In order for the blood to flow freely, the baby’s hand can be held in warm water for a minute.
Deoxygenated blood
During venous blood sampling, the doctor tightens the forearm with a special tourniquet, and the biomaterial is taken with a syringe from a vein. To make it easy for the doctor to penetrate the vein with a needle, the child may be asked to work a little fist, squeezing and unclenching it.
All methods of sampling ESR analysis are moderately painful for the child, but nevertheless, children can be capricious, because they are afraid of an unknown procedure and are very scared of the type of blood. In clinics, during blood sampling, parents are allowed to be near their children. It is very important to explain to the child that the analysis is carried out so that he subsequently does not get sick. After this procedure, some children may experience dizziness with nausea. In such cases, chocolate with sweet tea or juice helps well. Also, the baby can be taken to a cafe in which he can eat something sweet. This will improve well-being and help you forget about an unpleasant moment.
Blood for ESR in children
The level of erythrocyte sedimentation rate in children varies due to certain pathological factors. For example, in girls this indicator, as a rule, is slightly higher compared to boys. The fluctuation of this indicator may also depend on the time of day. So in the afternoon ESR can increase. Next, we consider what other factors can affect the deviation of the results of this analysis in children from the norm.
What does an increase in ESR in a child mean?
The main reasons for the increased ESR in a child may be the following factors:
- The development of infectious diseases in the form of tuberculosis, measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, scarlet fever and others.
- The appearance of bleeding.
- The development of an allergic reaction.
- The presence of injuries or bone fractures.
- Metabolic disorder.
- The development of thyroid disease.
- The appearance of malignant tumors.
True, far from always an increase in ESR indicates some kind of ailment. In infants, this happens with teething or a deficiency of vitamins, and, in addition, with improper nutrition of the mother, when the baby is breast-fed. In addition, the jump in this indicator is due to the intake of fatty foods or due to the use of paracetamol.
If a decrease in the norm of ESR in the blood of children in 5 years is revealed, for example. What does this mean?
What does the decrease in ESR in a child mean?
A low level of this indicator may be due to the following factors:
- The presence of prolonged diarrhea.
- Incessant vomiting.
- Dehydration of the child's body.
- The development of viral hepatitis in a child.
- Dystrophic pathology of the heart.
- Chronic circulatory failure.
It is important to consider that a lower ESR value is normal in the first two weeks of a baby's life.
How to normalize ESR in the blood of children 6 years old?
How can a child normalize ESR?
As noted earlier, it is simply impossible to determine the diagnosis based solely on ESR. In the event that the value of this analysis is far from normal, then the doctor may recommend additional examinations:
- Biochemical analysis.
- Determination of sugar along with hormonal research.
- Ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity.
- Feces on helminth eggs.
- Chest x-ray.
Further treatment depends on the results. As a rule, in order to normalize indicators, antibiotics with antiviral or antihistamines are prescribed. There are also methods from the field of alternative treatment, which include taking decoctions of herbs that have anti-inflammatory effects, for example, such as chamomile with linden. Tea with raspberries, lemon and honey may also be indicated. In addition, foods that are rich in fiber should be included in the child’s diet, and protein foods of natural origin are also recommended.
We examined the rate of ESR in a blood test in children.