A clinical blood test allows you to assess the general condition of the child, to identify inflammatory processes in the early stages. The test reflects the performance of shaped elements. Their increase or decrease indicates the presence of some kind of pathology. The fact that the body is undergoing an inflammatory process is evidenced by the high value of ESR. The higher the score, the stronger the inflammation. But in order to understand what values are considered high, it is necessary to know the ESR rate in a child at 2 years old or at the age at which the study is conducted. In addition to age, sex also affects indicators.
What is ESR?
Determining the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a laboratory test that provides information on the degree of aggregation of red blood cells. The analysis allows you to identify inflammatory, autoimmune, infectious and tumor processes. The test is not specific - it is impossible to identify the source of inflammation with it. The analysis refers to indicative differential diagnostic tests. The results are used to diagnose and predict inflammatory diseases in virtually all areas of medicine.
The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is determined either by the “manual” method (according to Panchenkov) or using automatic analyzers. The technology for conducting tests is different, which, of course, affects the results. So, for example, the norm of ESR in a 2-year-old child according to Panchenkov will be slightly different from capillary photometry. It is necessary to judge the results based on reference values.
How are children tested?
The choice of test procedure does not depend on the age of the patient. The decisive role is played by the equipment of the laboratory. In medical practice, 2 methods are used to determine ESR - according to Panchenkov and Westergren. Automated analyzers perform the test in a manner similar to the Westergren method. Only the calculation is carried out by a machine that can do several tens of tests simultaneously.
- Panchenkov's method. ESR determination is carried out using a special capillary, graduated at 100 divisions. An anticoagulant is collected in it (usually a solution of sodium citrate 5%) to the mark “P” and transferred to the viewing window. Blood is drawn into the capillary 2 times and blown onto a watch glass (viewing window). Blood is mixed with an anticoagulant and again collected in the capillary. It is mounted strictly vertically in a special tripod. After an hour, "manually" count the number of settled red blood cells.
- The Westergren method is recognized by the medical community as optimal and is used in all countries. The method is most sensitive to increasing ESR, therefore, the results of the values will be more accurate. For the test, blood is taken and mixed with 3.8% sodium citrate in a ratio of 4: 1. The analysis is performed in a special test tube with a lumen of 2.4-2.5 mm and a graduation of 200 mm. Erythrocyte counting is carried out in mm per hour.
After a blood test, the ESR rate in children depends on the test method. If parents doubt the results, they have the right to choose a laboratory and a way to carry out the study on their own.
In what cases the doctor prescribes a study
According to established standards, in children ESR tests are carried out up to a year planned. In children without hereditary pathologies, the test is performed for preventive purposes. In children with congenital diseases, the study reveals changes and makes it possible to prescribe timely therapy or adjust the one used.
In children at 2 years of age, the analysis is performed to identify infections, acute and chronic inflammatory processes. Despite the fact that the test is differential diagnostic, it is highly sensitive. A pediatrician can prescribe it if there is a suspicion of the occurrence of bacterial infections: sinusitis, tonsillitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia. If the child has a viral disease, the ESR indicator remains unchanged. This allows you to accurately determine what type of infection.
The analysis reveals chronic inflammation, even with mild symptoms or their absence. If the child has an oncological disease, a study is prescribed to evaluate and predict the effectiveness of treatment.
How to prepare your child for the examination?
In order to most accurately determine the deviation from the ESR norm in children at 2 years of age (girls or boys), it is necessary to properly prepare. The preparation rules are simple and practically do not affect the way of life familiar to the child.
- Blood is taken on an empty stomach for analysis. The baby can be given a little water in the morning. Food for dinner should be light (porridge, yogurt).
- If the child drinks any medications, it is necessary to inform the pediatrician about this. The reliability of the results can also be affected by the intake of vitamins of group A.
- The day before should be excluded too active games.
- The laboratory may refuse to conduct the study if it was preceded by physiotherapeutic procedures. On the day of the test, it is better to refuse them altogether.
- If the child is naughty, he needs to be reassured. Try not to let the baby cry.
Analysis results are usually ready one hour after delivery. You can pick them up in the laboratory or discuss in advance the possibility of being sent by e-mail.
ESR rate in children by age
Many factors influence indicators. One of the factors is the number of red blood cells, their morphological and physico-chemical characteristics. However, with most pathologies, the physical characteristics of red bodies are not fundamentally changed, so this factor is not decisive.
The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is measured in millimeters of plasma, which exfoliates within an hour (mm / h). ESR rate in children by age:
- Newborns from 3 to 7 days - no more than 1.
- For children from a week to six months, 2-5 are considered normal values.
- From 6 months to 1 year - 4-10.
- In children aged one to 5 years, indicators 5–11 are normal.
- 5-14 years: girls - 5-13, boys 4-12.
- 14-18 years: girls - 2-15, boys - 1-10.
What affects the ESR in children
Red corpuscle sedimentation occurs in blood plasma; its protein composition significantly affects the sedimentation rate. Red blood cells settle because their specific gravity exceeds the density of the fluid in which they are located.
It is known that a high plasma content of fibrinogen, globulins leads to an increase in ESR. Thus, factors affecting the increase in blood of coarsely dispersed proteins also affect the rate of lowering of red blood cells to the bottom. Conditions under which a child has an ESR higher than normal:
- Neuropsychic stress.
- Excessive physical activity.
- The presence of iron-containing foods in the diet.
- The amount of fluid consumed by a child.
- Walks in the open air.
- Teething.
ESR above normal in a child what does it mean?
The test is not specific. Its results are considered in conjunction with other studies. Indicators within the norm do not mean that the child has no pathology. In addition to the rate of exfoliation of red bodies, the pediatrician evaluates leukocyte counts, the hemoglobin content, and draws conclusions only on the totality of results.
Normal ESR in children at 2 years of age for boys and girls is 5-11 mm / h. Higher indicators indicate the presence of a pathological process in the child's body. The reasons for the increase in values are divided into several groups:
- Inflammatory processes in acute or chronic form.
- Infectious diseases of bacterial etiology.
- Tumor pathologies.
An increased ESR value in children occurs with the following diseases:
- Bacterial infections: tonsillitis, sinusitis.
- Autoimmune pathologies.
- Allergic diseases.
- Anemia (anemia, at the age of 2 years, most often iron deficiency).
- Necrosis of the heart muscle.
- Diabetes.
- Nephrotic syndrome.
- Liver disease.
- Gallbladder inflammation.
- Tumor diseases of the lymphatic and hematopoietic tissue.
A high ESR is observed after diseases, operations, after injuries and burns. It is also necessary to consider the presence of congenital diseases and medication. Even a preliminary conclusion is not made immediately, but only after passing a full examination, based on the results of specific analyzes.
What affects the decrease in performance?
The rate of ESR in children 2 years old is 5-11 mm / hour. Lower rates indicate disturbances in the body. Typically, a decrease in indicators is not clinically dependent and is not taken into account by the doctor in the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. However, the pediatrician can prescribe a re-examination, and if the picture remains the same, this is an occasion to find out the reason for the low rates.
Most often, ESR decreases due to changes in blood viscosity. This is due to insufficient fluid intake by the child. Electrolyte balance may also be impaired. There are several factors influencing such a disorder: a lack of potassium in the body or its poor bioavailability, and kidney pathology. Other reasons for lowering ESR include:
- Increased blood concentration.
- Chronic hemoblastosis.
- Insufficiency of all blood cells.
- Sickle cell anemia.
- Hereditary erythrocyte membranopathy.
- Heart or respiratory failure.
- Disorders of liver functionality.
- Prolonged diarrhea.
- Some types of viral diseases.
Decrease in indicators can be observed against the background of taking corticosteroids or plasma substituting drugs (“Albumin”).
Abnormal Treatment
The study is performed as part of a clinical blood test. The test is not specific and is usually prescribed during the initial examination to monitor the course of the pathology. When making a diagnosis, a pediatrician or other specialist takes into account not only the ESR rate in a child at 2 years old, but also the rest of the UAC.
Value is a kind of marker of various pathological processes. If the indicators exceed the norm, a full examination prescribed by a doctor should be taken as soon as possible. Based on its results, adequate therapy will be determined. Doing self-treatment is extremely dangerous for the health, and sometimes the life of the baby. Even the intake of vitamin complexes should be carried out according to the indications and appointment of a pediatrician or other specialist.
Preventive actions
In order for a child at 2 years of age, the ESR norm should not be exceeded and not reduced, simple rules should be followed:
- Proper nutrition. Children should receive all the necessary macro- and micronutrients, a sufficient amount of protein, carbohydrates, fats.
- The child should walk outside more often.
- Active mental and physical development.
- At 2 years, the baby must independently comply with all basic hygiene rules: wash your hands before eating, brush your teeth after a walk.
- If the child is often sick, it makes sense to send him to the sports section.
- Parents must conduct all routine examinations.
Conclusion
ESR test is basic. It helps the doctor understand in which direction to look for the source of the disease. The analysis helps to suspect pathology even with the external normal health of the child. Deviations from the norm of indicators should not scare parents, but be an occasion to take better care of the child, his mental and physical health.