To identify a complete picture of the state of the body during the disease, a detailed blood test with a leukocyte formula is prescribed. One of the important indicators that are investigated in this procedure are neutrophils. Their decrease may indicate a cold or indicate the development of more serious diseases that require immediate treatment. What to do if neutrophils in the blood are reduced, and what symptoms accompany this condition, we will consider in the article.
Definition
Neutrophils are white blood cells that take an active part in the body's immune response. They are the largest group of white blood cells. When foreign agents enter the body, they are one of the first to rush to fight them. Having absorbed bacteria, neutrophils die.
By the amount of neutrophilic white blood cells contained in the blood, one can judge the cause of the disease and the stage of its development. To determine the state of the body, the percentage of neutrophils relative to leukocytes is calculated. If neutrophils are reduced, this can indicate both the failure of the immune system and the body's immune response to various viruses and infections.
Kinds
Specialists distinguish two types of neutrophils in human blood:
- Band stabs, which are the youngest cells. This kind is often elevated in newborns.
- Segmented. These are formed adult cells, the core of which consists of segments.
Norms
Norms of neutrophils in the blood do not differ by sex, but have differences in age.
| Age | Band stab (average value),% in relation to leukocytes | Segmented (average value),% in relation to leukocytes |
| Children of the 1st month of life | 1–5 | 27–55 |
| Children under 5 years old | 1–5 | 20–55 |
| Children under 15 years old | 1–4 | 40-60 |
| Adults | total content from 45–70 | total content from 45–70 |
In most cases, young children have physiological neutropenia (a decrease in neutrophils). In the process of growing up, these blood counts return to normal. Control required.
Neutrophil reduction mechanism
Some neutrophils ply in the blood, while others are "in reserve", attaching to the walls of blood vessels. They are the first to respond to the appearance of foreign cells. Absorbing them, neutrophils die.
If the disease progresses for a long time, the analysis indicates that the segmented defense cells are reduced. In this case, you need to pay attention to the number of stab neutrophils that the immune system replaces dead cells. A significant increase in them indicates the development of a serious pathological process. If the level of young neutrophils is not reduced relative to the norm, this indicates the normal synthesis of protective cells. With adequate treatment, their blood content will be restored. A condition in which young neutrophils are not enough requires a thorough examination.
Reasons for the decline
In the vast majority of cases, a decrease in neutrophils in the blood is observed due to the development of the inflammatory process. The most common neutropenia factors are:
- Long-term inflammatory processes in the body.
- Intoxication.
- Infectious diseases.
- Fungal diseases.
- Chemotherapy.
- Some medications. For example, antibiotics or antiviral drugs, antitumor and antithyroid drugs.
- Anemia
- Living in an environmentally disadvantaged environment.
- Severe viral infection.
- Bacterial diseases.
- The presence of parasites in the body.
- Radiation exposure.
- Allergy.
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Poisoning by toxic substances.
- Tumor processes.
- Inherited diseases.
- Necrotic processes in the body.
- Blood disease.
Symptomatology
Symptoms that suggest a decrease in neutrophils are as follows:
- A sore throat.
- Stomatitis.
- Temperature rise.
- Violations of the stool, as low rates can provoke a malfunction in the intestines.
- Skin rashes.
- Poor wound healing.
- Dizziness.
- Bleeding.
- Deterioration of hair, skin, teeth.
It is worth noting that the above symptoms may be manifestations of other diseases. Therefore, if you feel unwell, it is recommended to donate blood as soon as possible in order to detect abnormalities.
Deciphering the results
Deciphering the analysis should be done by a qualified specialist, because in order to judge the state of the body, it is not enough to know the level of neutrophils alone. The content of other blood components must also be taken into account.
Of great diagnostic importance is the ratio of lymphocytes and neutrophils. Consider the possible variations:
- With a decrease in neutrophils, elevated lymphocytes. In most cases, this condition indicates the effect of a viral infection, as well as the active and effective functioning of the immune system. If changes in indicators are insignificant, then the body is at the stage of recovery. Large deviations from the norm indicate an acute stage of the disease. This result may also indicate the development of dangerous diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and oncology. Additional examinations are needed. If after a month the tests returned to normal, then the body coped with the cause of pathological abnormalities. A situation in which neutrophils are reduced and lymphocytes are elevated in a child without additional symptoms of the disease may indicate a latent disease or the presence of chronic pathologies.
- Neutrophils and lymphocytes are reduced. This indicates the presence of a chronic disease or carriage of the virus. In this condition, frequent inflammatory processes can be observed.
- If leukocytes and neutrophils are reduced, then this can be a symptom of dangerous pathologies and a malfunction of the immune system. In this case, the body becomes difficult to deal with inflammatory processes. It is very important to identify the cause of this condition as soon as possible.
- Neutrophils are reduced, monocytes are increased. A large number of diseases, which, in most cases, have an infectious nature, can contribute to this. This condition indicates the body's immune response. An additional examination is needed.
Decreased neutrophils in the blood of a child
Changes in blood counts in a child are always alarming for parents. Lowering neutrophils is no exception. A change in the level of these cells in a child’s body can be associated with both pathological processes occurring in it and physiological ones - in this case, by two or three years, the level of neutrophils returns to normal. It happens that neutropenia is congenital. This condition should be treated as soon as possible, since there is a high risk of developing dangerous infections due to a decrease in the body's defenses. A decrease in segmented neutrophils in a child can be triggered by childhood infections, which include measles, chickenpox, and rubella. Also, this condition is observed with emotional overwork, after vaccination and with teething. In these cases, the results of a repeated blood test diagnose the normalization of the level of neutrophils.
Diagnostics
The level of neutrophils is detected by a general blood test with a white blood cell count. Since indicators are influenced by many factors, for more accurate values it is necessary to adhere to some rules.
- Blood is donated in the morning to an empty stomach.
- It is not recommended to drink coffee, strong tea and products containing sugar 4–5 hours before the analysis. Smoking can also adversely affect the accuracy of the analysis.
- For a day, refuse to drink alcohol and oily, spicy food.
- For 1–2 days, stop taking medicines. If this is not possible, it is necessary to notify the laboratory assistant before donating blood.
- Before analysis, try not to be nervous and not to engage in physical activity.
Treatment
Neutropenia is not an independent disease. This is always a sign of other pathological conditions occurring in the body. Direct treatment to normalize the level of neutrophils in the blood does not exist. First of all, it is necessary to identify the root cause of this condition.
- The mild form, which in most cases is physiological, does not require treatment. In this case, it is worth considering the general condition of the body.
- With an allergic reaction, antihistamines are prescribed.
- If fungi become the cause of the decrease, antimycotics are used.
- With infectious damage to the body, antibacterial agents are prescribed.
- If the cause is drugs, they need to be replaced.
- Be sure to prescribe drugs to maintain the immune system.
- It is recommended to undergo a course of vitamin therapy.
- If the cause of a decrease in neutrophils in the blood is a disease in which the bone marrow is not able to produce protective cells, the doctor can decide on the need for a surgical treatment method - bone marrow transplantation.
- In severe neutropenia, inpatient treatment may be required.
It is important to remember that you can not self-medicate. Therapy should be prescribed by a doctor, because only a qualified specialist will be able to correctly interpret the blood test and identify the problem. Based on the results obtained, therapy is effective in each case.
In the treatment of a child, special attention is paid to his age, the presence of chronic and hereditary diseases. If a slight decrease in neutrophils is detected against the background of a normal level of other indicators, therapy is not required. It is necessary to control the condition in which a blood test is systematically given.
Folk remedies
To strengthen the immune system and normalize the level of neutrophils in the blood, traditional medicine is used, which has proven itself as an adjuvant therapy. Consider some recipes:
- Oatmeal broth.
- Tincture of wormwood.
- Royal jelly.
It is worth remembering that the use of traditional medicine should be agreed with the attending physician.
Preventative measures
People who are prone to lower levels of neutrophils need to remember the increased tendency to infectious diseases. Compliance with preventive measures will reduce the risk of their development. To do this, you must adhere to some rules:
- Wash hands thoroughly.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Lead a healthy lifestyle.
- Avoid stressful situations.
- Do not supercool.
- Exercise moderate exercise.
- Strengthen the immune system.
- In time, consult a doctor and completely treat all diseases, except for their transition to the chronic phase.
Conclusion
If a blood test revealed a decrease in neutrophils, do not immediately panic. In some cases, this condition does not indicate serious health problems and, subject to certain recommendations, quickly returns to normal. If the analysis revealed deviations in the level of other blood parameters, it is worth identifying the cause of this pathology and starting the corresponding treatment.