Blood test indicators are important for assessing the health of children, so changing them always alarms adults - both mothers and doctors. If parents see in the results an increased content of platelets in the child's blood, they are always interested in whether it is dangerous for their daughter or son. For timely assistance to the baby, you need to find out why platelets may be higher than normal and what to do with an increased rate.
What is the number of platelets considered elevated
Platelets are small blood cells without nuclei, which are also called platelets. They are important for blood clotting, in particular for the formation of blood clots, to close the damage to the vessel and stop bleeding. Such cells are formed in the red bone marrow, live up to ten days, after which they are destroyed in the spleen.
The upper limit of the norm for a newborn is 490 x 109 / l of platelets, but by the fifth day of life their number begins to decrease, being at the age of 5 days to a month no more than 400 x 109 / l, and in a one-year-old child and older - a maximum of 390 x 109 / l.
A small excess is not considered dangerous by doctors, but if the number of platelets exceeded the norm by 20-30 x 109 / l or more, this condition is called thrombocytosis or thrombocythemia.
If the indicator is slightly exceeded, only a balanced diet with the introduction of certain products can be recommended; drugs are usually not prescribed.
Causes of thrombocytosis
Depending on the provoking factor, thrombocytosis is divided into:
- Primary. Its appearance is due to a violation of the formation of platelets in the bone marrow.
- Secondary. This increase in platelets develops due to a disease that does not affect the bone marrow. Moreover, it is only one of the symptoms of the disease.
The causes of secondary thrombocytosis include:
- Surgery to remove the spleen. An increase in platelets after such an intervention is associated with a slowdown in their decay. In addition, the spleen normally produces compounds that inhibit the synthesis of platelets, and after removal they cease to inhibit their production.
- Acute inflammation, for example, in bacterial or viral infections, rheumatism, tuberculosis, osteomyelitis and other pathologies. Due to the inflammatory process, the production of the hormone thrombopoietin begins, which stimulates the maturation of platelets.
- Cancers such as lymphogranulomatosis or lung sarcoma. Due to the growth of a malignant neoplasm, the bone marrow is activated, as a result of which platelets are produced in an increased amount.
- Blood loss caused by trauma, liver cirrhosis, anemia (both iron deficiency and hemolytic), gastrointestinal ulcers and other factors. In such situations, thrombocythemia acts as a compensatory response.
A slight increase in platelet count can be observed with mental or physical overload. Sometimes platelets rise as a result of side effects of certain medications.
Symptoms of an increase in platelets
If a child develops thrombocytosis, this may manifest itself:
- Swelling and a feeling of heaviness in the limbs.
- Soreness in the tips of the fingers.
- Itchy skin.
- Weakness.
- Blueness of the skin of the limbs, as well as lips.
- Hands and feet cool to the touch.
- Dizziness.
- Frequent bleeding from the nose.
Why is thrombocytosis in children dangerous?
Too many platelets accelerate blood clotting. Platelets begin to stick together and clog blood vessels, resulting in blood clots. Their appearance disrupts the functions of internal organs, which is especially dangerous if the vessels of the heart or brain are blocked.
Diagnostics
The change in the number of platelets is determined during a clinical blood test. If thrombocytosis is detected, the child should be carefully examined, since the cause of the disease is a fundamental factor in the appointment of treatment. If the indicator is significantly overestimated, the child should:
- Determine the amount of iron in the blood, as well as the level of ferritin to rule out anemia.
- Determine seromucoids and C-reactive protein in the blood to confirm the presence of an inflammatory process.
- Make a blood clotting test.
- Conduct an ultrasound examination of internal organs.
- Get a urine test.
If indicated, the child is referred to a hematologist, and after his consultation, a bone marrow examination may be prescribed.
Treatment
In the treatment of primary thrombocytosis, cytostatic agents, drugs to improve blood circulation, and drugs that prevent platelets from sticking together are used. In some cases, anticoagulants and other drugs are prescribed.
In case of severe thrombocythemia, the child is sent for a thrombocytopheresis procedure, when platelets are removed from the blood by a special apparatus. If thrombocytosis is secondary, attention is paid to the treatment of the underlying disease, and also to protect the child from increased thrombus formation.
What to do with a slight increase
If platelets are only slightly elevated, no medication is prescribed. In such situations, the doctor will advise you to pay attention to a balanced diet for the child. The children's diet should include:
- Foods with a lot of iodine. These include fish and seafood.
- Calcium-rich foods. First of all, these are dairy products.
- Foods from which the child will receive iron. It can be meat, liver, cereals, fruits, and more.
- Foods that help thin the blood. Lemon, ginger, cranberries, viburnum, lingonberries, garlic, beets, tomato juice, fish oil and some other products have such an effect.
It is advisable to avoid foods that increase clotting, such as bananas, lentils, walnuts, rose hips, pomegranate. In addition, the child should be given a sufficient amount of fluid, and any folk remedies in children with thrombocytosis can be used only after consultation with the doctor.
You can learn more about platelets, their role and norm in the blood composition by watching a fragment of the program “Living Healthy”.
