Among the indicators determined during the analysis of the child's blood, there are those that are not entirely clear to parents. One of them can be called hematocrit, which in the analysis is designated by the abbreviation Htc.
What is it
Hematocrit is called an indicator indicating the ratio of blood cells to plasma. It is expressed as a percentage and means how much of the total blood cells occupy. Although hematocrit takes into account the number of all blood cells, red blood cells are of the greatest importance for this indicator, since they are the most numerous cells in the bloodstream.
Based on this indicator, you can estimate how thick the blood is. If the percentage of blood cells is increased or decreased, this will immediately be reflected in the hematocrit value and will allow the doctor to more accurately establish the diagnosis and not hesitate in prescribing treatment.
How is hematocrit determined
Hematocrit is one of the indicators of a clinical (also called general) blood test. To determine the hematocrit, the blood is placed in a centrifuge, and then the formed elements settle down, leaving a layer of transparent plasma at the top. Previously, laboratory technicians calculated this indicator manually, but now the determination of hematocrit is performed automatically in most laboratories.
Table of normal indicators
The hematocrit value is different for children of different ages. Newborns have more blood cells than plasma, but by the end of the first week of life, their ratio becomes equal, after which the liquid part of the blood begins to prevail.
Normal hematocrit values are as follows:
Changes in hematocrit
Above normal
A child's hematocrit may increase as a result of one of these two processes:
- The number of shaped elements is increasing.
- Plasma volume decreases.
In childhood, an increase in hematocrit is most often due to dehydration, which can be caused by fever, intestinal infection, lack of drinking, overheating, and physical activity. To compensate for the loss of fluid, the body takes plasma, therefore, the percentage of blood cells in the bloodstream becomes more than normal.
Chronic oxygen deprivation is another common cause of high hematocrit. It can be provoked by lung disease, heart defects, diabetes mellitus, and staying in highlands. In the child's body, during hypoxia, the formation of erythrocytes is activated, which affects the hematocrit.
In addition, an increased hematocrit is diagnosed when:
- Polycythemia.
- Long-term use of glucocorticoids.
- The use of diuretics.
- Burns.
- Bleeding.
- Leukemia.
- Injuries.
- Peritonitis.
- Diseases in which blood coagulation is impaired.
- Kidney disease.
The main danger of an increase in hematocrit is a deterioration in the movement of thicker blood through the vessels and the formation of clots that block small vessels, impairing the work of internal organs. That is why, if the indicator is 10-12% higher than the upper limits of the norm, this should not be ignored by the doctor.
The pediatrician will evaluate other blood test data and refer the child for additional examinations, and then prescribe therapy, as a result of which the hematocrit will return to its normal value.
Below normal
A decrease in hematocrit can be caused by various reasons, including insufficient formation of blood cells, and their increased destruction, and an increase in blood volume, and its dilution. The decline in this indicator is also based on two processes. The child either has an increase in plasma or a decrease in the number of blood cells.
The most common causes of low hematocrit in children are:
- Swelling due to impaired renal function.
- Acute bleeding.
- Anemia caused by a deficiency of vitamins B9 and B12 or a lack of iron.
- Hemolytic anemia.
- Aplastic anemia.
- Hyperproteinemia caused by feeding babies with goat or cow milk.
Having identified a low hematocrit in a child, it is important to further examine the small patient to determine what triggered such changes. If the hematocrit drops to less than 20-25%, this threatens the child with oxygen starvation and disruption of the internal organs, especially the brain.
Depending on the reason, the actions to increase the hematocrit to normal values will be different:
- If the child has edema, kidney function should be checked and diuretics prescribed.
- With deficiency anemias, it is important to make up for the lack of nutrients. If we are talking about iron deficiency, the child is prescribed drugs with this element. If there is a lack of vitamins, the doctor will prescribe medications, from which the child will receive them in the right amount.
- In case of acute bleeding, the child is hospitalized. If the condition is severe, red blood cells or other blood products are given to the baby.
- If the doctor suspects aplastic anemia, the child will be referred for special examinations to determine the state of the bone marrow.
- If the amount of protein in the bloodstream rises, the child's nutrition should be reviewed. A baby under one year old is recommended to breastfeed or milk formula with an optimal protein content.
For more information on the general blood test, see the program of Dr. Komarovsky.
