If you carefully consider the blood test, thenit can be noted that a hematocrit is indicated in it. The level of the hematocrit indicates how much in the blood there are red corpuscles called erythrocytes. They play a major role in the human body, as, first of all, enrich all tissues with oxygen and various nutrients.
When the results of the analysis show thathematocrit is elevated, then, most likely, the body has deviations. The lowered hematocrit is practically not dangerous, unlike the raised, therefore it is necessary to concern more attentively to last changes of a blood. For the attending physician, the blood test is important, since he can determine not only the presence of the disease, but also the severity of its course.
For what and how is the analysis performed
Thus, the hematocrit number can be calculated fromblood analysis. To do this, the blood is collected in a special tube from the glass and begins its centrifugation for a certain time. As a rule, heavy elements as a result of this drop (namely erythrocytes), and the plasma floats upward.
There are divisions in the test tube, according to which they determinethe number of red bodies in the body. When an increased or decreased hematocrit is detected, the analysis is recorded as a percentage. Such an analysis is made in a conventional clinical laboratory.
The norm in the child
Throughout life, the norm of the hematocrit in a person can vary, especially in children:
- In a child who is just born, the norm can range from 45% to 63%.
- Up to three months at the kid this level drops a little and reaches already as much as 44%.
- Up to a year the level of hematocrit should drop to 35%.
- Up to ten years, a child's hematocrit should not exceed 34%.
What is the deviation from the norm?
When the hematocrit in a child is raised, the parentsIt is worth paying attention to this problem, since this usually indicates a serious disease, although sometimes it is also associated with physiological changes.
If the hematocrit rises, the blood of the childbecome thick and viscous. This is due to the fact that the number of erythrocytes increases. Such a condition can be dangerous for any person, because it can provoke the appearance of blood clots.
Some parents worry and wonder- if the hematocrit is increased, what does it mean, and how should it be normalized? But we must remember that if the increase is 10% in a child under one year, then most likely the cause is hidden in the physiological development of the baby, and there is no reason for the experience.
Symptoms in deviations from the norm
If the adolescent's hematocrit is lowered, this maylead to serious health problems. As a result of the reduced number of red blood cells, the amount of oxygen supplied to the organs decreases, and this in turn leads to an imbalance of the acid-base balance.
The child feels weak as a resultstarts to get tired quickly, he has complaints of palpitations and shortness of breath. Also, a teenager may complain of constant dizziness, and in some cases he may have nausea.
To establish the exact reason why this is happening, only a doctor can, he will also prescribe drugs that can restore hematocrit.
The reasons for which may increase hematocrit
It may be that the hematocrit is elevated inteen or toddler if the analysis was compiled incorrectly. For example, a child did not drink water for a long time before donating blood. In this case, it can become thick. This happens in the case when the body of a baby suffers from dehydration due to illness and poisoning or vomiting or at high body temperature.
Повышение гематокрита может оказаться связанным с pathological conditions that caused an increase in the concentration of red blood cells. That is, when the hematocrit is elevated in a child, the causes may be hiding in such ailments:
- Kidney disease, which may be congenital or acquired during life. This includes polycystic disease, neoplasm development, hydronephrosis.
- Pathologies in the respiratory system, an inflammatory process in the lungs and bronchi.
- Injuries and burns of varying degrees.
- Heart diseases. They may be congenital or may be acquired due to heavy physical exertion.
- Blood problems. Leukemia
- Problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Asymptomatic oxygen starvation.
- Taking certain medications for a long time (not only antibiotics can lead to an increase in hematocrit).
Only a doctor can determine the exact cause.Based on the results of the analysis, he will propose other diagnostic methods to detect the disease, which has led to an increase in hematocrit in a child.
What threatens increased hematocrit in children
If the child’s hematocrit is elevated, thenleads to thickening of the blood, which subsequently leads to the formation of blood clots. And, as we have already mentioned, the described phenomenon can be a consequence of serious diseases associated with the circulatory system, the formation of tumors, both benign and malignant, with the inflammatory process in the adrenal glands, lungs and kidneys. There is an increase in the volume of red blood cells and with peritonitis. Although the hematocrit can rise by itself, if the child is high in the mountains, as well as if he is a long time under the influence of sunlight.
How to treat elevated hematocrit in a child
Some parents immediately start to panic,if they find out from the doctor that the child has hematocrit. What does it mean? Do not immediately worry, in order to determine the exact cause of deviations, the doctor will offer to conduct a whole chain of tests. And as soon as the cause is established, treatment will be prescribed if necessary.
First of all in such cases it is recommendedprovide the patient with proper nutrition, which includes a large amount of fortified food. If you follow all the doctor's instructions, then soon the normal level of red blood cells will be restored.
The doctor will accurately determine how hematocrit in a childincreased, and if these indicators are insignificant, and the results of other tests do not show any abnormalities, then this may be due to physiological development.
When hematocrit changes are safe for a child’s health
Как мы уже говорили, не всегда высокий гематокрит associated with pathologies, sometimes it is just a temporary phenomenon. For example, if a person drinks little water per day, then, as a result, blood may thicken. Experts therefore recommend parents to monitor the mode and nutrition of their baby. After all, if you eliminate the primary problems, then soon the blood will return to normal. And it is recommended to take tests not once, but several, with a short break.
It should be noted that children who live inmountains, due to lack of oxygen constantly suffer from elevated hematocrit, but they have a gradual adaptation, therefore, as a rule, such an increase does not have any consequences for the body.
Если гематокрит у ребенка повышен, то обязательно It is worth paying attention to the problem to rule out possible serious diseases that can be prevented if treatment is started on time. A child with an elevated hematocrit will complain of frequent dizziness and even nausea. Often one can observe in him a state of "stunned", difficulty breathing and numbness of the extremities.
Как быстро восстановится гематокрит, будет depend on what led to its increase. For example, if a child has suffered a burn, then the described indicator is normalized after the healing process begins, if the cause is hidden in other, more serious diseases, then the body should be fully examined and medical treatment should be carried out.
