Anyone know anything about low white cell count (neutrophils)

[tillyblue]

11 yr old dd has lower than normal count.
We were phoned by the Gp to come in and discuss.

They are now referring her.

Since August she has had what everyone suspected to be a virus. Nausea, skin infections, abcesses, sore throats, serious fatigue. Now acute headaches.

She is not at all well and some days does not even get out of bed.School is intermittent.

Endless trips to GP and blood tests and antibiotics they decided to refer after these bloods came back. Its not glandular fever, thyroid, diabetes etc.

Are they suspecting leukemia?

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My dd was like this last year. Ended up being a virus attacking her bone marrow and causing her to have no white blood cells. The good news is that now she is well again and making white blood cells. Do not be alarmed if a bone marrow test is done as this is done for more than just to see if she has leukemia.

Know its hard but while you know she has a low count try to keep her away from people with bugs/large gatherings - I know not easy had to do this myself this time last year and drove me crazy!

Where are you in the country - we ended up at Addenbrokes in Cambridge and they where/are just brilliant.

Meant to say there are alot more possibilities to the cause of this than the big C so try not to panic - apparantly some people just have a low neutrophil count and live with it just fine. My dd and her worst had a count of just 0.1 (should have been 3-5).

Thanks for the bump Puzz. That was sweet of you

Sunshine, I rang the Gps to check that the referral has gone through and they said yes and its being marked as urgent.Pleasing but still a little worrying.

I suspect they will do bone marrow test as Gp said they will do more invasive tests at the hospital when we are called in. We are in North yorkshire.

How long did your DD suffer from it and what were the symptoms? Did you keep her off school?
DD is currently back on the sofa.Bless. We have a 10yr old and 2yr old all with their own special germs freely distributing them around her!!

Her levels were within the norm 6 weeks ago.

Has she been taking any antibiotics recently? I had been taking clindamycin and rifampin for a scalp. infection a while ago and they had an effect on my neutrophils causing them to be on the low side. Not sure which one was the culprit but once I stopped taking them my neutrophil levels slowly went back to normal

my dd was only just over 1. She had chickenpoin the Aug then from then on was at docs every other week with her. Then in the Nov she was admitted to hospital with various infections which oral antibiotics wouldn't touch. Local hospital realised it was beyound them and we got sent to Addenbrokes.

A bone marrow test isn't as bad as it sounds. My dd was put to sleep (only for 10mins) there wasn't even a stitch.

Neutrophils will be low if on antibiotics as infections is what makes them drop.

If I was you would be on phone to hospital to paeds dept and asking them how long. If she gets worse bypass GP and take her to A+E and insist she is seen be paeds - sad but sometimes you have to take slightly drastic action o get results quickly.

My dd was at her worst in nov last year and come this March had normal blood result.

Sorry rambling but am tired. Please keep looking positive - I'm sure if GP thought it was v serious would have sent you straight to hospital.

Krrp in touch - I'm sure although this is not nothing it is not as serious as you fear.

As others have said low neutrophils can be indicative of a weakened immune system,due to virus or potentially something more serious.I think given her history the GP is being sensible in referring for a bone marrow biopsy,as this will give the best indication of what is going on.Has your daughter had any routine blood tests like a full blood count,or looked at a blood film???It does not neccessarily mean she has leukaemia,but the bone marrow biopsy can give an indication of a whole range of haematological conditions,of which there are many.As others have said if they suspected it was an acute type of leukaemia she would have been referred immediately from GPs if her FBC had been seriously awry,as they do not usually mess about in such a situation xxxxxx

Sending you lots of positive vibes and best wishes to your dd.

(Incidentally,should it be that the worst scenario happens,the treatment for childhood leukaemias have a much higher sucess rate in children.I know its probably the last thing you want to hear at the moment but it is a fast moving field and treatments are progressing all the time xxxxxxx)

Dellie she has had 2 doses of antibiotics for the leg infections but well before the last blood test so I assume not.

Sunshine, that's so little to have to go through all that. Glad she is better now.
was thinking I might have to do that if it is to be mid to end of January. Gp practice said it may be delayed due to long winter Holidays the consultants take at this time of the year!!!
She has a slight temperature tonight and a hacking cough. Poor lamb, and she never moans.She says her eyes really hurt to look up because of her headache.

Wrinklytum, she has only had liver function and the standard blood count. But they did throw in glandular fever and thyroid. All negative. I expect the paediatrician will do those tests?

Its funny, when the kids are potentially very ill you kind of get all calm and sensible dont you? Its when they have ear infection or sickness I get a bit hyped up!

Thank you all for your kind thoughts. they are much appreciated.

Just glad to help. I know my dd was little but at least she has very little memory of it (hates docs though screams even if its not her they are seeing!)

Know what you mean about keeping calm and it is best to keep as calm as possible. Hope you get an answer to all this soon and she gets better.

Wrinkly, Sunshine are you there?

Rang hospital today to get appt. they have received the referral already (by tues am)and have booked her to see consultant 9am tomorrow.

Am pleased with efficiency but now stomach churning a bit. Was thinking January as told by referrals secretary at Surgery was the current waiting time.

Can only assume they think its serious?

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Aww Tilly,just got back to this

Lots of haem disorders present with unexplained infection etc etc in the manner of your dd symptoms.The definitive dx can only be determined by a bone marrow biopsy,blood counts,blood films and possibly a CT scan dependent upon type of disorder.

Sending you big positive vibes.xxxxWrinkly.

Any news tiilyblue?

hi. We went to the consultant.

He says it is M.E.

???!!!

Am relieved that it is nothing else tbh. More blood tests, cortisol, blood chemistry and immunoglobulin.Not sure why or what for as he didnt speak english really.

Now awaiting results.

Hi - did you get any further? How are they managing your daughter's ME?

I have a daughter aged 11 who has had ME for over 18 months (very severely at times!!!) - strongly recommend the charity group AYME who have an amazing support and information network!
ayme.org.uk

My daughter (6 Years) recently had a blood test and she has a low white blood cell oount apparently. I wish I had requested a test three years ago as she has always been so tired. This time I insisted on a test.

School is often 'on and off'. She catches everything and finds it difficult to recover - she has viral infections and then bacterial infections(chest) requiring antibiotics. She has slight asthma and has a blue and steroid inhaler. She likes to sleep and, looking back, she always had more afternoon sleeps than anyone else. Has this been going on for a while I ask?

THe thing is they never believe you do they? I knew something wasn't quite right and often kept her off school because of her energy levels - yet you get the impression they think you're a fussy mum.
WHY is her body not able to produce the white blood cells? How can I build up her immune system (already has vitamins)?? Does anyone else have more info on this and why it happens?

just adding to this my 3 year old son has low white blood cell count hes been ill for 3 weeks i keep taking him back to gp and thankfully they did bloods he has this cough when he runs hes had 2 doses of anti bs and the blue inhaler now hes to start this stronger dose of anti bs and get more blood done ,he has went from a happy boy to a sad little boy its really awful

Hello im new, Some of thease posts are discribing my son to a tee Im glad im not alone he is under a pead consoltant has been for a while but he is so tired all the time! I will keep an eye on this as I think the advice is going to be valuble
btw it has been confermed that he has low platlets they cant get to the bottem of why he just keeps getting infections I feel like im going round in circles and people think that I am just being a nurotic mother which I am not trust me!

Good evening,

my names Elena I am currently anxiously writing from a hospital bed, hopefully looking for some advise/reassurance
I have been unwell for over a week with a fever, chills, cough, fatigue and loss of appetite typical cold symptoms, I got really bad on Tuesday very weak couldn’t get temp down called 111 they advised to go a&e went a&e they did blood tests and said infection so gave me loads of antibiotics and sent me home, got back home and took my antibiotics and vomited straight away, couldn’t keep nothing down felt so weak so went back into hospital they put me on a drip because I was dehydrated and started me on iv antibiotics, anyway today I feel a lot better and was expecting to go home however the doctor said my latest blood test showed low levels of neutrophils and that I need to stay in so they can do loads of tests to see why they are so low, of course I Google it and the first thing that comes up is Leukemia so im so worried, they said they are going to leave me in at least another few more days to test blood daily and see if it comes back up, I’m still on antibiotics. Anyone had anything similar? Would really appreciate some kind words as I suffer with health anxiety.
thank you