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Original poster

16 month old has low white blood cell count, what can this mean

19 replies

Flower3554 · 31/05/2008 01:30

The lo I'm caring for has had some developmental delays and because A. he is to be placed for adoption and B. his birth family have a history of autism he had a blood test done a couple of weeks ago. The results have come back with no chromosome abnormality but he has been diagnosed with a low white blood cell count.

The consultant wants his blood tested again this Tuesday, anyone have any ideas what this could mean.

His social worker only rang me at 6pm so I couldn't have a chat to my HV and the thought of waiting until Monday before I can speak to her is unbearable

OP posts:
onlyjoking9329 · 31/05/2008 01:47

what a worry for you, I dont know much other than white blood cells are to do with immunity I think.

Original poster
Flower3554 · 31/05/2008 05:56

Thanks oj,sorry for the delay in replying, our other placement decided to see how long she could stay awake for. It is a worry and one that could have been avoided because my HV is a good un and she would have been happy to calm me down a bit.

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ladytophamhatt · 31/05/2008 06:39

oh Flower, I hope everythig turns out ok.
I often think if you and and teh little man
Have you got 2 little ones now?

I have a friend who fosters cares ad they've just recentky put themselves forward as possible adoptive parent for the LO they care for. LO is over 1 yr old now and has been with them since 3 weeks....I have everything crossed that it all goes smoothly for them.

ProfYaffle · 31/05/2008 07:10

My Mum had a low white blood count for a little while, iirc hers was to do with stress and being generally run down and went away again quite quickly.

Hope it's similar for your lo.

lenny101 · 31/05/2008 07:14

Hi Flower. I'm pretty sure that low white cells indicates an infection. Is your lo well?

lenny101 · 31/05/2008 07:14

Hi Flower. I'm pretty sure that low white cells indicates an infection. Is your lo well?

Original poster
Flower3554 · 31/05/2008 07:16

Ty ladytophamhatt, yes we took on a premi newborn in January. She's adorable.

I hope it all goes well for your friends, I've never adopted myself but our eldest DD adopted a child we were fostering, so he's my grandson now

It is a worry and the worst thing is not knowing, his first blood test took almost 3 weeks to come back

OP posts:
Original poster
Flower3554 · 31/05/2008 07:18

He is well at the moment but thinking about it he was off colour a few weeks back. He had a rash all over that was gone the following morning and he went off his food for about a week.

OP posts:
geekgirl · 31/05/2008 07:19

dd2 was found to have a low white blood cell count recently - the paediatrician said it was a classic sign for a viral infection.
Does your lo seem under the weather at all?

geekgirl · 31/05/2008 07:20

x-posts - sounds like it could well be a bit down because of that then. Did they tell you what the actual count is?

Original poster
Flower3554 · 31/05/2008 07:44

Believe it or not geekgirl they wouldn't even give me the results of the test

Although we've looked after him 24/7 since he was 2 days old, never ever left him for more than a couple of hours, we are NOT, according to a snotty receptionist, "blood relatives" so have no right to know the test results.

His SW, on the other hand, who hasn't clapped eyes on him more than three times this year, has the right to know and it was up to her whether or not I was told

All I know is that it was a low count.

Sometimes I hate this bl**dy job

OP posts:
geekgirl · 31/05/2008 07:55

I'm so sorry flower

I can't imagine how painful and frustrating that must be. With all that you've got going on with your lo, you really could do without this cr@p from some jobsworth.

itwasntme · 31/05/2008 08:07

I've had this - when I am very run down. Both times I went to doctors because of unexplained rashes. Was told it was viral both times.

Got better being really careful with my diet, getting lots of sleep and generally looking after myself.

Hope the little one feels better.

Original poster
Flower3554 · 31/05/2008 08:27

Thanks geek and itwasntme.

Really hoping it's nothing more.

Is there anything I can do to "boost" his count???

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Original poster
Flower3554 · 31/05/2008 09:50

Bump, anyone any ideas please

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TotalChaos · 31/05/2008 10:03

DH had this - when he had blood tests after he had a rash. He was told it was most probably because of recently having a virus, and to come back to get retested once felt 100% better. So I think it is pretty routine for them to retest. Another friend had this too - she had recently had a nasty stomach infection.

Original poster
Flower3554 · 31/05/2008 10:05

Thank you TC, really feeling a bit less panicked now

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geekgirl · 31/05/2008 10:49

I don't think you can boost it as such as it is a 'marker' type thing, it would go up if he had a bacterial infection for instance. (Does that make sense?! Not very eloquent this morning!)

Original poster
Flower3554 · 31/05/2008 11:05

Thanks Geekgirl, yes it makes sense if I think about it.

I suppose my mind was trying to find something I could do for him.

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