Platelets are the smallest blood cells responsible for its clotting. Starting from birth, as we grow older, the norm of the level of platelets changes. In newborns and children of the first week of life, the platelet rate is 100,000-420,000, in babies under 1 year old - from 150,000 to 350,000, in older children and adults, the norm is 180,000-320,000 units.
Rules for blood sampling
To be sure of the correct result, you must follow the recommendations of experts, namely:
- blood must be taken only on an empty stomach;
- on the eve of research, do not expose the body to excessive physical exertion and stressful situations (including hypothermia);- limit the use of certain medications, which can affect platelet levels.
Let's figure it out with you, what does it mean if the tests showed that it is the platelets in the child that are elevated. The reasons for the increase in platelets
Mean platelet count increased at:
- blood diseases,such as erythremia, thrombocythemia, myelogenous leukemia (these diseases can be both acquired and hereditary);
- platelets in a child can also be increased after infectious diseases (meningitis, pneumonia, hepatitis, and others), since to cope with inflammation during such ailments, the body intensively produces a hormone that promotes the rapid maturation of platelets;
- surgical interventions;- stressful situations.
Increased platelets in a child may be after past illnesses, namely iron deficiency anemia, acute rheumatism, diseases of viral etiology, leukemia, leukemia.
How to identify a platelet disorder
It is necessary to regularly monitor whether the child's platelets are high or low, as both situations are very dangerous. With a decrease in the level of platelets, bleeding, bruising, bruising after minor strokes, and dizziness occur. An increase in the level of platelets in the blood contributes to the increased formation of blood clots, which is very life-threatening.
Platelet levels during pregnancy
Particular attention should also be paid to platelet levels during pregnancy. A slight decrease in platelets in a pregnant woman is considered normal compared to a non-pregnant woman, whose platelet norm is 150,000-400,000 units. There are many reasons for this phenomenon, the main ones are, such as dehydration, viral infection, medication.
It is considered very dangerousthe position when platelets are elevated during pregnancy. By decision of doctors, even abortion is possible, as the risk of blood clots is high.
Treating thrombocytosis
Since the blood is thicker with an increased content of platelets in the blood, the main actions are aimed at diluting it. This can be done both with medication (with the help of drugs prescribed by the attending physician), and by using special foods (lemon, beetroot, pomegranate, sour berries such as cranberries, viburnum, sea buckthorn and others).
