Causes of elevated platelets in a child’s blood. What does it mean when a child has elevated platelets in his blood? Normal platelet counts in children

Platelets are responsible for blood clotting and influence the process of stopping bleeding. They are produced by special cells in the bone marrow. They are short-lived, their lifespan is 10 days. New ones arise to replace the old ones that have become obsolete. Let's consider the situation if the analysis showed that the platelets in the child's blood are elevated and what does this mean?

Thrombocytosis in children

The platelet count characterizes the state of human health. Their number depends on age: the norm of platelets in children under one year of age is no more than 340*10^9 units/l. For children beyond infancy, the normal platelet count is 200–310 thousand. In teenage girls, during the establishment of the menstrual cycle, the quantitative indicator of these cells can drop to 80 * 10^9 units/l.

An increase in the number of platelets leads to thrombocytosis, and when they decrease, thrombocytotenia develops. The number of these cells is determined by drawing blood. In most cases, it is taken from a finger.

In an infant, blood is drawn from a toe. No extensive preparation for the study is required. The analysis is carried out before the next feeding or 2 hours after eating.

Data may not be reliable enough when using certain medications, hypothermia, or physical fatigue.

To gain complete confidence in the correctness of the survey findings, it must be completed at least three times with an interval of 3 days. The analysis is prepared quickly, you can get the result in a few hours.

note

It is recommended to conduct a test to detect thrombocytosis if the child suffers from frequent nosebleeds and easily develops bruises. You should get tested if you have bleeding gums, weakness, or frequent dizziness. If a child suffers from autoimmune diseases or iron deficiency anemia, the number of these cells must be counted.

You should know: with cancer, an enlarged spleen and serious viral infections, the platelet level can also be high.

Causes

The clonal form of thrombocytosis is especially dangerous. Let's try to figure out what this means. In this type of thrombocythemia, bone marrow stem substances are destroyed by the tumor. Therefore, the rate of platelet formation becomes increased and is no longer controlled by the body.

Their structure also changes: they acquire enormous sizes and fuzzy shapes. Most often, the body’s activity is disrupted due to malignant tumors such as lung sarcoma, kidney cancer, and lymphogranulomatosis.

Which doctor should I contact?

If the platelet count in a child’s blood is elevated, you should contact a hematologist. He will conduct diagnostics, analyze research results and prescribe competent treatment to improve the patient’s condition.

In addition to the platelet level, the number of leukocytes and other quantitative indicators are determined. In the laboratory, you can get advice from a qualified specialist who will interpret the general analysis data in an accessible language.

Treatment

To treat high platelet levels, you can use drugs from the group of anticoagulants; they affect the process of blood clotting. The use of medications that enhance immunity is also important.

With thrombocytosis caused by cancer, you cannot do without antitumor drugs. If the disease is severe, plateletpheresis sessions are necessary. With its help, the body is freed from the increased content of blood platelets.

You can reduce the number of platelets in a child’s blood using therapeutic nutrition:

It is useful to consume foods that prevent the formation of blood clots. An excellent effect is observed when using olive oil, fish oil, lemons, berries, and tomato juice. The menu must include dishes rich in magnesium.
With insufficient fluid intake, an increased concentration of platelets often occurs. Preference should be given to green tea and plain still water.
The consumption of bananas, pomegranates and walnuts is not recommended.

Video on the topic

How can you find out about the health of a little person when he himself does not yet know how to communicate with the outside world? The simplest and most effective way is to take his blood for analysis. This amazing substance is like a biological hospital record: it will tell you everything that is happening inside the child’s body. Among these informants will be platelets - blood cells that play a special role.

What are platelets?

The life of platelets is short (up to 10 days), but very responsible. After all, thanks to these cells, a person does not bleed when wounded, the wounds themselves do not remain forever, but heal, and besides, platelets help our body to firmly defend itself against various viruses and bacteria.

Platelets are produced in the bone marrow and destroyed in the liver and spleen. This process is continuous - some cells are just being born, others are dying - so that at the same time in the human body there are young and old platelets, mature and already incapacitated. Therefore, their quantitative composition in the blood is not constant - plus or minus 10% of the norm.

It would seem that if these are such important cells, then is it worth using such a concept as a norm in relation to them? Yes, you should: an excess of platelets is just as dangerous to health as a lack of them. The body must maintain a balance between newly formed cells and those that have already served their purpose. And pediatricians always check this balance with their young patients.

What is the normal platelet count in children?

The platelet count depends on many factors, and primarily on the age of the child and his physical condition at the time of the test. Since this indicator is “floating”, its regulatory boundaries are defined quite broadly.

Platelet norms in children of different ages:

In order to determine the number of platelets in a child’s blood, he needs to undergo a general blood test. It is recommended to do this at least once a year in order to promptly detect deviations from the norm, which may indicate the presence of health problems.

If your platelet count is below normal

Thrombocytopenia is a disease in which there is a low level of platelets in the blood. In children it can be provoked by the following reasons:

heredity;
oncology;
anemia, which is caused by a lack of vitamins;
toxoplasmosis;
pathologies of the thyroid gland;
allergies;
past infectious diseases (for example, measles and rubella);
taking medications, in particular antibiotics;
prolonged bleeding.

Festive video recipe:

Thrombocytopenia is recorded in every second premature baby. It can affect babies whose birth was accompanied by asphyxia, underweight children and those with weak immunity.

The following facts should cause caution among doctors and parents:

In case of injuries, wounds do not heal for a very long time, it is difficult to stop the bleeding from cuts and abrasions;
there are many bruises on the child’s body for no apparent reason;
blood often flows from the nose;
gums bleed.

This indicates very low blood clotting, which is caused by a lack of platelets.

If the cause of thrombocytopenia is a serious disease in which the platelet level is significantly reduced, then the child is indicated for additional diagnostics and subsequent treatment in a hospital setting. If the deficiency of blood cells is not critical, then it can be replenished independently.

If your platelet count is higher than normal

If the number of platelets deviates from the norm towards an increase, then we are talking about thrombocytosis - a phenomenon in which the blood becomes very thick and viscous. There may be several reasons for this. At the same time, they are divided into two groups – primary and secondary.

Thrombocytosis is called primary thrombocytosis, in which too many platelets in the blood are caused by pathological processes in the bone marrow, that is, where platelets are produced. Tumor degeneration of cells leads to their excessive formation.

Secondary thrombocytosis is noted as a consequence of various diseases. Thrombocytosis is most often caused by:

liver and kidney diseases;
oncological diseases;
viral infections;
tuberculosis or pneumonia;
iron deficiency in the body;
damage to internal organs or surgery;
taking certain painkillers, antifungal and anti-inflammatory drugs;
excessive physical activity.

A child’s body is constantly developing, which means it experiences physiological stress all the time. In such conditions, the chances of a threat of thrombocytosis are very high. It is a threat, since this disease is dangerous due to potential blockage of blood vessels by blood clots.

How to normalize platelet levels in the blood

If the excess or deficiency of platelets is not caused by critical reasons requiring urgent medical intervention, then the balance of these blood cells can be restored at home. The most effective method is to create the right diet.

If there is a lack of platelets, foods rich in vitamins B, K and A, iron, folic acid and taurine will be useful. The list of the daily children's menu must include:

buckwheat porridge;
red meat and fish, prepared in any way;
beef liver;
hard cheese;
legumes;
eggs, especially yolks;
apples;
bananas;
walnuts;
vegetables and greens, especially white cabbage, spinach, dill and asparagus.

Juices of chokeberry and pomegranate, decoctions of rosehip and nettle will be extremely useful for thrombocytopenia.

Products that thin the blood are contraindicated in case of platelet deficiency. This list includes:

olive oil;
some berries, in particular blueberries, raspberries;
ginger;
chocolate.

In case of thrombocytosis, that is, an excess of platelets, you should pay attention to foods rich in antioxidants, iodine and vitamin C, which, on the contrary, contribute to better blood thinning and prevent blood clots. So, on the dining table, at which a child with a high platelet count in the blood sits, there should be:

tomatoes;
olive or linseed oil;
ginger;
onion and garlic;
figs;
citrus;
chocolate.

Drinks that will be useful are sea buckthorn and orange juices, green tea, and cocoa. In general, if there is an excess of platelets, it is recommended to drink as much fluid as possible - this will help reduce the thickness of the blood.

You should be wary of:

from fruits and berries - chokeberry, mango, pomegranate, bananas;
from everyday food - carbohydrate and fatty foods, as well as animal fats.

Do not drink carbonated drinks under any circumstances.

Remember that proper nutrition is not a panacea if the cause of an imbalance of platelets in the child’s blood is due to some serious illness. You should not neglect the consultation and recommendations of your doctor. As for preventive measures, fresh air and physical exercise are what a child should become familiar with in order to have the maximum chance of healthy blood.

A blood test is done for all children without exception. The results of this study have a lot to say. There are certain standards by which the child’s health status is assessed. In deciphering the analysis, you can find numerical values of red blood cells, platelets, etc. Based on the results of blood sampling, conclusions are drawn about the baby’s immunity, the overall picture of the young patient’s diseases is assessed, etc. To be able to decipher a blood test, you need to know what the child’s platelet rate is. This is exactly what this article will discuss.

What are platelets?

Scientifically speaking, platelets are cells that are formed from megakaryocytes. The place of their origin is the red bone marrow. The shape of platelets is discoid. Size - 2-4 microns. Platelets are From the red bone marrow, the bulk enters the blood, the rest are deposited in the spleen. On average, cells live for about a week. The platelet rate in a child and an adult may vary. Permissible deviation - +/- 10%.

Participate in blood clotting processes.
Perform angiotrophic and adhesive-aggregation functions.
Fibrinolysis.
The cells provide retraction of blood clots.
They transport circulating immune complexes, thereby maintaining vasospasm, etc.

Properties of platelets

The rate of platelets in a child is not constant; this is directly related to the properties of the cells. During activation, blood platelets form pseudo-similarities, that is, processes. Thanks to them, platelets connect with each other and adhere to the walls of damaged vessels. Such blood clots prevent blood loss. However, an increased number of blood cells can lead to life-threatening clots.

Normal platelet count in a child

A clinical blood test is done even for newborn children. The local pediatrician must give a referral for this procedure. According to the results of the study, platelets in children should be within the following limits:

100-420*10 9 /l - in newborns;
up to a year, the platelet count should be -150-350*10 9 /l;
in children older than one year, the normal value is 160-390*10 9 /l (according to other, older data, 180*320*10 9 /l).

By assessing the platelet count, the doctor determines whether the baby has a tendency to thrombocytopenia or thrombocytosis. In other words, the first disease appears if the child has, the second - if they are elevated. If the blood cell count is within normal limits, then everything is fine. A higher/lower number indicates abnormalities that a doctor can use to make a diagnosis.

Normal platelet count in an adult

The number of colorless blood cells in an adult and a child is different. In addition, platelet concentrations are also different in women and men. The fair half of humanity has fairly wide boundaries for this indicator. The normal value is 150-380*10 9 /l. The lower limit of platelet count occurs during menstruation. During pregnancy, this concentration is also considered normal, since due to the development of the fetus, the mother’s body is not able to produce the same amount of platelets as before.

If you compare the indicators of children (1 year and older) and adult men, you may be surprised. The number of platelets in their blood is the same. The norm is considered to be 180*320*10 9 /l (according to new data - 160-390*10 9 /l). Children mean female and male individuals. As soon as a girl begins her menstrual cycle, she becomes a woman according to biological indicators, and the platelet count changes due to periodic blood loss in the form of menstruation.

Reduced platelet count. What does this mean?

The platelet norm in a 3-year-old child should be at the level of 160-390*10 9 /l; if the concentration is significantly reduced (20-30*10 9 /l), then you should sound the alarm. This number of blood cells can be caused by a number of reasons, such as:

lupus erythematosus;
hemophilia;
anemia;
taking medications;
lack of iron in the body;
malaria;
bacterial and viral infections;
giardiasis;
toxoplasmosis;
heart failure;
ascariasis.

If platelets are low, the child may have one of these diseases. Thrombocytopenia is also observed in premature infants and after blood transfusion.

In critical situations, when the baby has bleeding from internal organs, a blood transfusion from a donor who has a sufficient number of platelets is necessary.

How to raise platelet levels?

Often, to raise the level of blood cells, people resort to more than just medications. Even experienced doctors sometimes recommend turning to traditional recipes. It has been proven that a certain diet can cause an increase in platelets in children and adults. What should you eat? The diet should include:

eggs;
buckwheat porridge;
fish;
parsley, spinach, celery, dill;
beef liver;
rich meat broths;
nuts;
pomegranate;
bananas;
rosehip juice;
rowan berries;
green apples;
beets, carrots, cabbage, fresh bell peppers;
nettle salads with sesame oil.

By consuming these foods consistently, you can slightly increase your platelet levels. People have a lot of recipes that will lead to the same result. Healers advise drinking sesame oil (1 tablespoon) and fresh nettle juice diluted with the same amount of milk on an empty stomach.

Of course, foods and herbs can slightly increase platelet counts. Most often, traditional medicine acts as an aid in the fight against disease. Serious health problems cannot be solved without medications. You should not risk your child’s health by treating him at home. The course of medication and diet must be prescribed by a doctor.

Platelets are increased. Causes

For example, the norm of platelets in a 4-year-old child is 160-390*10 9 /l. If, after a clinical blood test, a large number of blood cells are found in the baby, this may be caused by:

spleen injury;
disruption of internal organs, possibly after surgery;
anemia;
leukemia;
liver disease;
erythremia;
physical overload;
fractures of tubular bones;
use of corticosteroids;
hepatitis;
tuberculosis;
abscess;
rheumatism;
osteomyelitis, etc.

There are two types of thrombocytosis: primary and secondary. When brain stem cells are destroyed, we speak of the first disease. Typically, primary thrombocytosis occurs with leukemia. Reactive (secondary) occurs in various pathologies. There are cases when the concentration of cells in the blood is very high. You need to sound the alarm immediately, since thrombocytosis can be caused by the appearance of a malignant tumor.

How to reduce platelet count?

For thrombocytosis, doctors usually prescribe medications such as anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents. Doctors will also advise you to take medications containing aspirin. It is acetylsalicylic acid that can thin the blood. You can help reduce platelets by eating blueberries, apples, oranges, lingonberries and cranberries. Seafood rich in iodine should be a must in your diet. will be giving up smoking and drinking alcohol, especially for adults.

In folk medicine there are recipes that can reduce the number of platelets. Connoisseurs advise drinking cocoa without sugar on an empty stomach and garlic tincture. You can also brew ginger root powder. To prepare the infusion, you will need a tablespoon of raw materials and a glass of boiling water.

You definitely need to follow a diet. It is advisable to create a daily diet so that it contains foods that will thin the blood. Give your child meals prepared with flaxseed and olive oil. Offer your baby tomato juice and lemons. You can eat onions and garlic in their pure form. By the way, the latter not only reduces the number of platelets in the blood, but also promotes faster resorption of blood clots. Be sure to eat foods high in magnesium. This element will prevent blood clots from forming. Drink more water, because the circulatory system consists of 90% of it. Dehydration causes the blood to thicken. The daily rate of water consumption for an adult is on average two liters, for a child - at least one liter per day. With trobocytosis, you need to increase the consumption of natural juices, fresh vegetables and fruits.

How to treat?

To make a correct diagnosis, the doctor must order some tests. For example, the norm of platelets in a 5-year-old child is 160-390*10 9 /l, if the test results revealed a higher value, then the doctor will recommend performing the following procedures:

at intervals of 3-5 days you need to take a blood test for platelets (3 times);
conduct a quantitative study of C-reactive protein;
Ultrasound of the pelvic and abdominal organs;
take a general urine test;
check ferritin levels;
consult a gynecologist and urologist.

If the baby has slightly elevated platelets (500), the baby does not have serious problems. This amount can be reduced without taking special medications.

Blood clot formation

Thrombosis can occur in both adults and children. When a blood vessel is damaged, its walls begin to prevent blood from clotting. Platelets do not cope with their task and disintegrate. Under the influence of procoagulants, a protein that affects the erythrocyte sedimentation rate forms threads. They are the basis of the blood clot.

The bone marrow continuously produces giant cells called megakaryocytes, from which special blood cells called platelets (PLT) are released. If a child has elevated platelets in the blood, this indicates, first of all, an imbalance in hematopoiesis, when more PLT cells are produced than are consumed.

What leads to platelet overproduction and why might a child’s PLT cell test be elevated? The reasons for deviation of test results from the norm in children are predominantly physiological and temporary. High platelet counts in a child caused by bone marrow disease are, according to statistics, extremely rare.

Thrombocytosis in children

Platelets in a child’s blood are responsible for the efficiency of the coagulation system, which is manifested by the rapid stopping of bleeding through the formation of a dense blood clot. An increase in the number of blood platelets is accompanied by:

nosebleeds;
pale, cold skin;
tingling, pain in the fingertips;
skin itching;
blurred vision;
swelling of tissues;
fast fatiguability.

If a child's platelet counts are higher than normal, this condition is called thrombocytosis. The excess of values for thrombocytosis, compared with the value of the upper limit of normal for age, is more than 20-30 * 10 9 / l.

Normal values for children are considered to be (*10 9 /l):

in the first 2 weeks of life – 84 – 450;
from 2 weeks to 10 months – 160-390;
at the age of 10 months - 1 year - 150 - 350;
from 2 years of age to 5 years - 180 - 320;
from 5 years – up to 10 years – 180 – 320;
from 10 years to 15 years – 150 – 320;
from 15 to 18 years old – 180 – 320.

In girls during menstruation from 14 to 18 years old - 75 - 220.

According to the origin of the increase in the content of blood platelets, thrombocytosis is distinguished:

primary (essential) – caused by the accelerated production of blood platelets in the bone marrow;
secondary or reactive - arising from various diseases, taking medications, as a concomitant phenomenon of natural physiological processes.

Primary thrombocytosis

Increased platelet count, caused by bone marrow disease and impaired proliferation of stem cells in the bone marrow, occurs in children, for example, in the early stages of polycythemia vera (erythremia). With this disease, the number of red blood cells, platelets and leukocytes increases.

Pathology is rarely detected in childhood, but erythremia in a child is more severe than in an adult. The disease is manifested by an increase in platelets, increased plasma viscosity, and the formation of blood clots.

The child's blood test shows a significant excess of platelet levels:

PLT indicators are increased more than 6 times and amount to 1300-2200*10 9 /l;
large platelets, as well as blood platelets with various structural defects, may be found in the smear;
increased neutrophils with a shift to the left, i.e. with the appearance of young immature forms;
sometimes eosinophils are slightly elevated;
enlarged spleen.

Primary thrombocytosis is characterized by a chronic course. Without treatment, the platelet count constantly increases. With treatment, the prognosis is favorable.

Causes of secondary thrombocytosis

An increase in the level of blood platelets in children is observed in the following diseases:

hematopoiesis due to iron deficiency;
- hemolytic anemia;
- large blood loss;
- chemotherapy;
removal of the spleen or part thereof, asplenia - congenital absence of the spleen or atrophy of this organ;
inflammatory;
- osteomyelitis;
- sarcoidosis;
- Kawasaki disease;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- chronic hepatitis;
- collagenosis;
- scleroderma;
- dermatomyositis;
- hemorrhagic vasculitis;
- pancreatitis;
- enterocolitis;
infectious;
- bacterial – pneumonia, meningitis;
- viral – diseases of the liver, digestive tract, encephalitis;
- fungal – infection with Candida fungi, Aspergillus;
- infection with worms;
oncological;
- neuroblastoma;
- lymphomas;
- hepatoblastoma;
taking medications;
- sympathomimetics;
- corticosteroids, including inhaled ones;
- antimitotics – anticancer drugs;
injuries.

An increase in platelets in a child’s blood most often does not pose a threat to life, and serves as a compensatory mechanism that promotes the restoration of affected organs after illness. The body produces more platelets, since blood platelets are necessary to restore the inner lining of damaged blood vessels and build new capillaries.

Increased production of PLT cells in children develops after an infectious disease. The cause of an increase in the content of blood platelets may be pneumonia, a cold, bronchitis, or osteomyelitis.

Drug-induced increase in platelets

A child may have a high platelet count if he or she is treated for many days with inhaled corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, for a cough or sinusitis.

Among the side effects of some medications containing glucocorticosteroids, there is also the possibility of an increase in platelets. Corticosteroids dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, prednisolone are included in complex drops for the common cold.

Bronchial asthma, allergies, allergic rhinitis, and urticaria are treated with the sympathomimetic (vasoconstrictor) ephedrine. Ephedrine is available in tablets, injections, and is also included in various medications prescribed to children for otitis media, cough, and runny nose.

This means that when elevated platelets are found in a child’s blood, especially after a recent acute respiratory viral infection or otitis media, this disorder does not necessarily indicate a serious illness.

Increased test results may be due to side effects of medications. And this is another argument against self-prescribing any medications and self-medication.

An increase in platelets caused by medication is a temporary physiological abnormality that does not require treatment and resolves on its own. But a doctor must prescribe medications, and the progress of treatment must be monitored by laboratory tests.

Increased platelets in children under one year of age

In newborns, platelets are increased compared to the norm in adults. And test results often frighten parents. But are elevated platelets in a child under one year old always a sign of a congenital pathology or disease?

Dr. Komarovsky points out that children of different ages have normal PLT cells are different, and this suggests that before drawing a conclusion about a child’s illness when platelets are elevated, you should familiarize yourself with the interpretation of the analysis and the norms for their content in the blood.

In a child under one year old, platelets may be elevated due to a temporary physiological disorder caused by:

previous respiratory or intestinal infection;
surgical intervention;
anemia of newborns;
withdrawal syndrome at birth from a mother suffering from alcoholism or drug addiction.

An increase in the number of PLT cells in an infant can be caused by poor drinking habits and passive smoking. Increased platelets in the blood in the acute stage of iron deficiency anemia in infants born prematurely. The rise in platelets in premature babies with iron deficiency anemia can exceed 500*10 9 /l.

However, in babies under one year of age, increased thrombocytosis, in general, does not cause complications in the form of thrombosis or spontaneous bleeding - hemorrhages. Even when the platelets in the blood of an infant are elevated to 1300 * 10 9 / l, the body is able to independently compensate for the violation.

For a successful recovery, the child must be under medical supervision. You can learn about ways to reduce platelets on another page of the site.

Platelets are the smallest elements that make up the cellular composition of blood. They are also called blood platelets, since these cells do not have nuclei. The main function of platelets is to participate in the blood clotting process.

Normally, the human body has a balance between the coagulation and anticoagulation systems. It is also supported by platelets. However, when the need arises (for example, the wall of a vessel is damaged), these cells are activated and begin to stick together and form a clot - a thrombus, which covers the existing defect and prevents the development of severe bleeding.

Normal platelet count in children

The level of platelets contained in the blood serum is determined using a special formula. The number of cells contained in 1 cubic milliliter is calculated to make it convenient to record and analyze data.

The child's body has one characteristic feature. Unlike adults, they do not have a single, constant standard for one or another blood indicator. Similarly, the level of platelets can change significantly with the age of the child, and this is considered a physiological process. Normal value of blood platelets at age:

1. Up to 10 days – approximately 100-400 thousand;

2. Up to 1 year – 150-400 thousand;

3. From 1 year to adolescence – 180-300 thousand;

4. From 13-14 years old – 80-200 thousand.

If these standards are too high, then it is worth suspecting the presence of thrombocytosis in the child and taking him to the hospital.

Rules for donating blood for analysis

During the study, blood is drawn either from a vein in the forearm or from a finger. If the child is less than 10 days old (newborn), then the analysis is usually taken of their heels or toes.

No specific preparation is required for the study, but there are still a number of rules that should be followed to avoid getting a false-positive analysis:

1. You must come for the procedure in the morning, on an empty stomach;

2. If the child is very small, then you need to take him for analysis either 2 hours after feeding, or immediately before the next feeding;

3. It is necessary to limit the child’s physical activity, since intense exercise can lead to changes in blood composition;

4. Remove from use certain medications that affect platelet levels (antibiotics, glucocorticosteroids);

5. Take the test several times (preferably 3) with a break of 4-5 days to ensure the reliability of the result.

Test results take very little time to prepare and can usually be collected on the same day. If necessary, laboratory assistants can carry out calculations in a shorter time.

The reason for getting tested is such undesirable symptoms as:

Constant bleeding gums;
Frequent nosebleeds;
Bruises on the body that appear for unknown reasons;
Constant numbness of the arms and legs;
Dizziness and weakness.

If your child constantly complains of these signs, then you should take him to the doctor.

Causes of elevated platelets in a child

As already mentioned, an increase in platelets in a child’s blood serum is called thrombocytosis. It can be caused by a malfunction of the immune system, and can also be a symptom of diseases localized in other organs.

Immune system pathologies

Thrombocytosis can appear for several reasons:

1. Due to the accelerated formation of platelets in the red bone marrow (in the presence of erythremia);

2. If the blood platelets are not destroyed quickly enough (due to the removal of the spleen, which normally disables old platelets);

3. Due to an increased release of reserve platelets into the bloodstream (usually observed with prolonged mental or physical stress).

Once thrombocytosis is detected, it is very important to determine why it appeared. This is done either by the attending pediatrician or by a hematologist - a doctor specializing in the treatment of blood diseases.

Thrombocytosis can occur in a child of any age, from infancy to adolescence. A slight excess of the physiological norm is usually attributed to the individual characteristics of the child’s body, that is, it does not require treatment. With a significant increase in platelet levels (starting from 800 thousand), the process can be considered pathological.

Doctors distinguish several types of thrombocytosis, which are characteristic of different diseases. Clonal thrombocytosis occurs due to a disorder in the structure of the cells from which platelets are formed in the bone marrow. Their response to hormonal regulation is disrupted, causing the process of platelet formation to get out of control and significantly accelerate. This condition is usually associated with tumor diseases of the bone marrow.

A similar process develops during primary thrombocytosis, but the mechanism for increasing the number of cells is slightly different. Increased platelet production is due to the fact that the bone marrow grows significantly, causing the tissue in which platelets can form to also become much larger. Primary thrombocytosis is characteristic of pathologies such as erythremia or myeloid leukemia.

This form is characterized by a sharp jump in indicators. The number of platelets increases very quickly to several millions, exceeding normal values tens of times. A distinctive feature of thrombocytosis in erythremia is also changes in the morphology of the cells themselves. The platelets become very large and their shape changes.

The last type of pathological process is secondary thrombocytosis. It can develop for the following reasons:

After surgery to remove the spleen due to insufficient destruction of platelets;
With an active inflammatory process;
With repeated frequent bleeding.

In this case, the appearance of thrombocytosis is associated with the body’s desire to compensate for the natural loss of blood platelets that develop during pathological processes.

Thrombocytosis in common diseases

Thrombocytosis can be caused by diseases that have nothing to do with the immune system. Then this condition is called secondary thrombocythemia and is considered an additional symptom in the clinical picture of the pathology.

Platelets increase when:

1. Anemia (hemolytic, iron deficiency);

2. Active tuberculosis;

3. Rheumatic disease;

4. Osteomyelitis;

5. Colitis (inflammation of the colon);

6. Chronic infections affecting the body;

7. Heavy surgical interventions;

8. Sudden, rapid loss of blood;

9. Cirrhotic liver damage;

10. Fracture of bones containing bone marrow;

11. Tumors;

12. Amyloidosis.

Secondary thrombocythemia is characterized by a slight increase in the indicator; very rarely it reaches such a high level as with primary thrombocythemia. In addition, with this form, the size and structure of the blood platelets remain normal, which is also a distinctive feature.

Diagnostics

If an increased level of platelets in the child’s blood serum is detected, it is recommended to take him for a general examination, since this symptom may indicate the presence of a serious disease in the body. Usually, an increase in the number of platelets is not the only sign of the disease; the patient develops the entire clinical picture characteristic of this disease.

However, in some cases it is quite difficult to determine what the child is sick with. To do this, it is necessary to carry out a number of additional analyzes, which include:

Determination of the level of iron and ferritin protein in the blood serum (anemia test);
Determination of the content of acute phase proteins (seromucoid, C-reactive protein);
Coagulogram (analysis showing the activity of the blood coagulation system);
Ultrasound examination of the abdomen and pelvis.

If necessary, the child is given a consultation with a specialized doctor - hematologist. He treats blood diseases. This doctor may prescribe a bone marrow test - puncture. This is a rather painful procedure for the child, so it is carried out strictly according to indications.

Based on the studies, the doctor can determine what disease the patient is suffering from. After this, specific treatment is prescribed.

Thus, thrombocytosis is an important pathological process affecting the state of the blood system, in particular, a change in the number of blood platelets. Its appearance can be a symptom of many diseases, so if changes in the child’s tests are detected, it is necessary to take him to a doctor for examination.