Low white cell count

[MaggieMcVitie]

DS (10) has just had the results of a blood test which show he has a white cell count of 2.8. Normal count should be 4.5 - 5. He has been referred to the paediatric haematologist for further investigation.

In himself he is fit and well, no unexplained tiredness or bruising. He does have a nice case of molluscum going on however. Would this push his white count down that much?

Does anyone else have any experience or knowledge of unexplained low white cell count in children?

[MaggieMcVitie]

Bump - trying to stay away from Dr Google...

[outputgap]

Hi. Had this with ds while having investigations for something else. Quite scary, as they contacted me to tell me that any temperature required an a and e visit until subsequent testing was done.

Although he had no symptoms, I suspect he might have had hand, foot and mouth from his sister, but I don't know for sure. Anyway, it was fine on the next test, quite a few weeks later. But scary while waiting.

But basically some viruses lower the white blood cell count, and, in the case of my ds, in an entirely symptomless way. I know that hand, foot and mouth is one of those, as is chicken pox. Perhaps molluscum is too? But anyway, he could easily have something that's causing no bother but reducing his white blood cell count. Don't panic!

[notenoughbottle]

My ds had a low white cell count (neutrophils). His was at 1.0 at one point and never higher than 1.8. We were told he must have had a virus etc to have caused it but repeated blood tests show it always being low. It sounds like you are getting the correct care though having been referred. My ds has been discharged by our awful paed so I'll be going back to gp for referral to haematology.

[MaggieMcVitie]

Thanks, that makes me feel better. Reassuring to know others have had this and it's come to nothing. Fingers crossed its all a bit of a storm in a teacup...

[MaggieMcVitie]

Bizarrely apart from the odd sniffle DS is NEVER ill, can't remember the last time he even had a temp!

[notenoughbottle]

My ds was the same though never ill but always pale tired and aching. Have they specified which white cell it is?

[MaggieMcVitie]

notenoughbottle Stupidly I didn't ask. Was surprised it hadn't come back normal on the second FBC.

[MaggieMcVitie]

notenoughbottle Did you get to the bottom of it?

[MaggieMcVitie]

Typically, tonight he's been telling me how tired he's been feeling. Buggar.

[outputgap]

Well, if he's got a viral infection, he might be tired. It's the time of year for horrid bugs.

[outputgap]

Maggie, my husband just declared that he thought ds has molluscum, and I've been googling it like a mad woman as I'm 7 months pregnant. Anyway, seems harmless to me, phew, and looks like it is a member of the same family as chicken pox, so it would make sense that it would have an impact on white blood cells in the same way.

[MaggieMcVitie]

Thanks outputgap. I've been googling too! No studies suggesting that molluscum lowers white count, but low wbc in children is more common than you would think. Fingers crossed it all turns out to be nothing. DS is Type 1 diabetic too which may also have some bearing as it is an autoimmune disease...clutching at straws...

[outputgap]

Actually, I'm also on a thread about pregnant women with low white blood counts (me at my last test) and that seems very common too. I think it does just fluctuate.

[hollinhurst84]

I have autoimmune neutropenia - very recently diagnosed. Was spotted through blood tests as my WBC and neutrophils were low

[MaggieMcVitie]

hollinhurst how does that affect you?

[hollinhurst84]

Constant low level illness really. So if someone gets a cold, I get it then it goes to a chest infection which takes ages to clear
I am on GCSF (lenograstim) now to raise my white cell count
The blood tests showed I produce anti neutrophil antibodies so I kill them off (helpful!)