The norm of ESR in children - the causes of possible deviations in the blood test. ESR in children - decoding: norms for age and reasons for the deviation of 7 months for a child soy 12 which means

The ESR norm in children indicates what erythrocyte sedimentation rate is optimal. This is a general indicator that is determined by a blood test. It shows the rate at which cells stick together. For results medical workers take venous or capillary blood.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

This indicator is very important. According to it, it is impossible to establish what disease the baby develops. But it is possible to detect pathological changes in initial stage development when symptoms have not yet appeared. The pediatrician will tell you what this means and what numbers you should pay attention to.

There is no primary therapy as such to cure abnormal ESR in children. The indicator will recover on its own when the patient recovers. If, for example, a child has an ESR of 20, this means that there are serious deviations in his body. The disease must be identified and treated.

Permissible parameters of ESR in the blood

Each person has different settings. They depend on whether it is a newborn, a one-year-old baby or an adult. For all, the ESR standards are set within certain limits. In addition, ESR is determined by the gender of the patient.

If the ESR is within the normal range, this does not mean that the child is healthy. In many situations, this indicator does not rise above 20 mm / h, even if the patient has been diagnosed with a malignant tumor. But significantly increased numbers indicate that an infectious pathological process or inflammation develops in the patient's body with a high degree of probability.

The level of ESR in adults and children is different. Doctors rely on this data to prescribe an additional examination to the patient. In addition, in children different ages erythrocyte sedimentation rate is different.

ESR norms in children:

  1. Newborns - from 2 to 4 mm / h.
  2. infant up to 1 year - from 3 to 10 mm / h.
  3. Children from 1 to 5 years old - from 5 to 11 mm / h.
  4. Child aged 6 to 14 years (girls) - from 5 to 13 mm / h. From 6 to 14 years (boys) - from 4 to 12 mm / h.
  5. From 14 and older (girls) - from 2 to 15 mm / h. Boys over 14 years old - from 1 to 10 mm / h.

Changes occur with age, as well as depending on the individual characteristics of each child. Violations can be minor, i.e., the indicator almost corresponds to how much ESR should be in the child's body.

If all other tests are in order, then there is no cause for concern. Most likely, the child has temporary deviations or individual manifestations in the body. But if the doctor directs additional research should be tested and tested. So you can make sure that pathological processes no.

The ESR value rises to 25 units if serious disorders develop in the human body without visible symptoms. Or when the rate is overestimated by at least 10 mm / h.

The decision on further actions is taken only by the doctor..

If the ESR level reaches 30 mm / h, it means that a disease develops in the child's body in a chronic stage or pathological processes are at an advanced stage.

The doctor prescribes mandatory treatment after staging accurate diagnosis this may take a couple of months.

If the ESR is 40, then the child has global health problems. It is necessary to find the source of the development of the disease, begin immediate treatment.

Why does ESR increase in children?

As a result of a different ratio of blood cells develops inflammatory process, increases the ESR. This is because the concentration of those proteins that are formed after tissue destruction or against the background of inflammation in the body increases in the blood.

An increased ESR in the child's blood indicates the presence of pathological processes, but it is impossible to determine exactly where they occur. Violations indicate various diseases, but this is not the main method of diagnosis. An increase in standard norms indicates that an infectious inflammatory process occurs in the child's body.

In addition, such a test can show high numbers, even when a person is completely healthy. Therefore, experts recommend conducting additional studies to determine the development of the disease at an early stage.

There are certain pathologies that cause increase in ESR in children:

  1. bacterial infections. This is tuberculosis or pneumonia, meningitis.
  2. Diseases of viral origin. Angina, scarlet fever or herpes.
  3. Acute pathological processes in the intestine. Cholera, typhoid or salmonella.
  4. Immunopathological diseases. Rheumatism or nephrotic syndrome, vasculitis.
  5. Pathological processes associated with the kidneys. Colic or pyelonephritis.
  6. Anemia, burn, trauma or complications after surgery.

The main indicator that doctors pay attention to is the magnitude of the violation. To understand that serious violations occur in the child's body, the results of the tests will help.

The ESR level rises by more than 10 units. As a rule, after complete recovery, the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation in children remains at a high level even after a couple of months. Therefore, tests should be taken periodically.

Accurately and quickly find out what ESR the patient has, a blood test will help. This parameter can determine the stage of development of the disease, as well as its pronounced indicators. If it is high, then the ESR will be increased.

Causes of low ESR

As a rule, a reduced level of ESR does not cause much concern for doctors. But that doesn't mean all is well. A lower result indicates that the baby has an unbalanced diet, his body lacks protein. In addition, ESR may be low as a result of dehydration, such as after severe diarrhea or vomiting.

There are situations when the rate of ESR in the blood of a child decreases against the background of hereditary diseases. And also because of the pathological processes that affect the circulatory system. But other parameters obtained after a detailed blood test will also tell about this.

For diagnosis, ESR parameters in children and adults are of great importance. But this is just a helper method. He tells the specialist in which direction to look for the disease, as well as whether he prescribed the right treatment for his patient.

There are certain factors, as a result of which the ESR in a child falls lower than established by the norms:

  • diarrhea that lasts for a long time;
  • severe vomiting;
  • loss of a large amount of body fluid;
  • viral hepatitis;
  • serious heart disease;
  • chronic disorders affecting the circulatory system.

In addition, low ESR rates are observed in a child in the first 2 weeks of his life after birth. If the baby feels good, and the indicators are underestimated, you should not leave the situation without action. It is better to go to the hospital and do more research.

False ESR results

It is not always possible to obtain accurate analysis data. In medicine, there is such a thing as a false positive result. The data of such a test cannot be considered reliable. They cannot indicate the development of pathology in the patient's body.

There are certain reasons why ESR results are considered false positive:

  • anemia, not accompanied by morphological changes;
  • increased concentration of all proteins in plasma, with the exception of fibrinogen;
  • insufficient work of the kidneys;
  • hypercholesterolemia;
  • the onset of pregnancy;
  • overweight;
  • patient's age;
  • hepatitis B vaccine;
  • vitamin A intake.

The cause may also be technical violations made during the diagnosis. This is the wrong exposure of the material, temperature, insufficient amount of anticoagulants for testing.

Methods for restoring ESR in children

The doctor cannot make an accurate diagnosis, considering only the results of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. If there are deviations from the standard norm, then he prescribes additional research methods:

After all additional examinations, only the doctor makes decisions, he knows how much ESR is normal in a child. In case of deviations, he directs the patient to other tests. Taking into account all the indicators, as well as the disease that will be detected, the children are prescribed appropriate medications.

As a rule, to restore ESR, the pediatrician prescribes drugs to his patients to stop the inflammatory process. These are antibiotics antiviral drugs and antihistamines.

There are alternative medicine methods that help normalize the level of erythrocyte sedimentation rate. in. For example, herbal decoctions with anti-inflammatory effect. These include chamomile and linden.

You can drink tea with raspberries, add honey and lemon. In addition, the doctor recommends eating foods with a lot of fiber, natural protein foods.

red beet renders positive action on the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. But before using traditional medicine to treat a child's body, you should consult a doctor.

You can not make decisions on your own and give the child some means.

Effective treatment helps not only to recover a small patient, but also to normalize the level of ESR. This is not so easy to achieve, it must take time (at least one month) from the moment the child gets sick.

How the analysis is done

As a rule, the material is taken in the hospital in the morning, from a finger, a vein, or, if it is a newborn, then from the heel. For a child, the tests are not dangerous, they only need a few drops to carry out. The pad is lubricated with a cotton swab with alcohol. The skin is pierced, the first blood is wiped off to prevent impurities from entering the material. The collection is carried out in a special vessel.

Important! The blood should flow out on its own. You can not press, otherwise it will mix with the lymph. Then the results will not be accurate enough.

In order for the blood to come out on its own, the child's hand should be heated, for example, with warm water or near a radiator. If the material is taken from a vein, then a tourniquet is tied on the baby's forearm. They ask him to work with his fist. This is necessary so that the doctor can accurately enter the vein with a needle.

Each procedure is painful in its own way. But children can also be naughty because they are afraid of people in white coats or the sight of blood. They are frightened out of ignorance, not understanding what they will do with them. Many clinics allow parents to be present during material collection.

So the baby is much calmer. In addition, the child must be explained that the analysis is necessary for an accurate diagnosis.

Many children do not tolerate the procedure very well. After it there is nausea, dizziness. In this case, the child can be given something sweet, such as juice, tea or chocolate. An unpleasant moment can be left in the past if you distract the child with a pleasant event.

Analysis for ESR is carried out at any age. A standard procedure that is prescribed to healthy or sick people. For example, it is used if the body temperature rises, other complaints appear, or if a child has bronchitis. The doctor always prescribes general analysis blood, including ESR.

Immediately after birth, the baby needs special attention from the parents, since during this period the development of all his organs and body systems takes place. To prevent the child from developing dangerous pathologies, it is necessary to be registered with a pediatrician and periodically take tests. To independently decipher the results of tests and control the well-being of the crumbs, the mother needs to know what ESR value is considered normal for him, why it is increased and decreased, what violations may indicate deviations from the norm.

What is ESR and how is it determined?

The ESR indicator (the abbreviation stands for "erythrocyte sedimentation rate") in a person is determined by a blood test. Previously, this indicator was called ROE (erythrocyte sedimentation reaction).

A study to determine this indicator is carried out by adding an anticoagulant to a vertically located test tube with blood. Under the influence of gravity, blood cells sink to the bottom, since their specific gravity is greater than that of plasma. The value of the indicator is calculated from the height of the upper plasma layer, which was formed in the test tube during settling for an hour. The unit of measurement of ROE is mm/h.


Similarly, erythrocytes behave in the human body. When an inflammatory process occurs in the blood, an increase in the concentration of certain proteins (globulins, fibrinogen) is observed. This leads to gluing of blood cells and the formation of sediment on the walls of blood vessels.

A deviation from the norm of the ESR indicator in humans indicates the progression of the inflammatory process, even if there are no visible signs of the disease. This allows you to recognize the disease at an early stage and start timely treatment.

Since a change in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate occurs only in certain diseases, this property of blood cells helps the doctor:


  • to establish the correct diagnosis if it is not possible to distinguish diseases by symptoms;
  • determine the effectiveness of therapeutic measures;
  • identify diseases that do not have pronounced symptoms in the initial stages.

For research, blood is taken from a finger. In order for the result to be reliable, the patient needs to prepare in advance for blood donation. Within two days before the procedure, you need to follow a certain diet, in which all fatty and fried foods are excluded from the diet. Eight hours before donating blood, you should refrain from eating. If the procedure is prescribed during therapeutic measures, parents should inform the doctor of the name medicines that the baby takes.

For the study, a small amount of blood obtained from a child’s finger is sufficient. In order to determine the rate of interaction between erythrocytes, laboratory assistants use the Panchenkov method. It consists in determining the properties of a biological material deposited vertically on the glass surface. If the Panchenkov analysis shows too high an ESR value, it will need to be retaken to confirm the result.

The Westergren method is applied to a body fluid obtained from a patient's vein. To conduct research in this way, conditions are created that are as close as possible to the human body. The analysis according to Westergren is more informative, as it is produced in a test tube, the division scale of which has 200 divisions.

Most exact result studies can be obtained using modern equipment that automatically calculates biomaterial indicators. Errors in this case are practically excluded.

Normal values ​​in children of different ages

The norm of ESR in children depends on their age and gender. Navigating the results of tests in babies is much more difficult than in adult patients, as they are constantly changing. To compare the child's ESR with a range of values ​​that advise the norm, pediatricians use a special table.

The value of ESR in a newborn baby is jumpy. For example, in the second month it can rise sharply, and then return to normal. This is due to the peculiarities of metabolism.

In the first year of life in a healthy baby, the indicator is in the range of 2-10 mm / h. If, after several tests, the ESR in the child has not returned to normal, it is necessary to examine the baby to identify the pathology that caused the increased ESR.

When deciphering the results of breast tests, the following factors must be taken into account:

  • gender of the child (at the age of 7 to 16 years, this indicator is lower for boys than for girls);
  • the level of hemoglobin in the blood;
  • the time at which the biomaterial was taken (starting from 10 am, the settling rate can be increased);
  • the presence of an inflammatory process;
  • the presence of infections of various etiologies that contribute to an increase in ESR within a day after the onset of the first symptoms of the disease.

To assess the health status of a one-year-old baby, the doctor needs to take into account not only the ESR, but also the content of leukocytes, platelets and hemoglobin in the blood. An increase in the settling rate by 10 points with normal values ​​​​of other indicators is not dangerous for well-being baby. If the ESR is 15 points higher than normal, the pediatrician prescribes an additional examination to identify the causes of this increase.

The value of ESR in children aged 1 to 2 years should be 5-9 mm / h. By the age of three, the rate begins to rise and can reach 12 mm / h. At this age, teething occurs in babies, as well as a change in nutrition. This may lead to a temporary increase in ESR, but not more than 20-25 points. If the indicator has reached a value of 30-40 mm / h, there is serious occasion for worry.

In healthy children preschool age(3-6 years) ESR is in the range of 6-12 mm/h. After six years, the child's body prepares for puberty. From this time on, the values ​​of the indicator become different for boys and girls. This difference persists in adolescents up to 16 years of age. In girls aged 7 to 14 years, it does not exceed 13 mm / h, and in boys - 12 mm / h. When conducting an analysis for a patient older than 16 years, gender is not taken into account.

Causes of deviation from the norm

The study of ESR in the blood of a child is carried out in order to determine inflammatory processes that can occur without pronounced signs. However, an increase or decrease in ESR cannot serve as the only basis for making a diagnosis. This is only an occasion for a more thorough examination and determination of the cause of the condition that has arisen.

Deviation of ESR from the norm can be caused by the following circumstances:

  • increased stress on the nervous system;
  • lack of any nutrients;
  • avitaminosis;
  • helminthic invasions;
  • change in the concentration of leukocytes or platelets;
  • decreased blood acidity.

It should be noted that with the transferred ARVI, the ESR indicator in babies does not immediately return to normal. Even if the treatment was successful, the recovery of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate will occur only after 4-6 weeks.

What does a decrease in ESR in the blood of a child mean?

Low rate ESR is less common in children. This is explained by the fact that external factors only contribute to the increase in the indicator, and not vice versa. If the analysis showed that the ESR is below the established norm, then the baby needs treatment.

In diseases characterized by low ESR, the concentration of platelets, leukocytes and erythrocytes in the blood may remain normal. The weak interaction of red blood cells with each other in most cases is associated with such pathologies as poor blood clotting and circulatory disorders.

Also, intoxication, which is observed during poisoning, leads to a decrease in the indicator. The development of infection in the body is accompanied by constant vomiting and diarrhea, which in turn provokes dehydration.

Dystrophy of the heart muscle leads to a prolonged decrease in ESR. If, according to the results of several tests, there is no positive trend, the child must be shown to a cardiologist. For an accurate diagnosis, an ultrasound examination of the heart will be required.

Increased ESR

A high level of ESR in a baby in most cases indicates that an inflammatory process has begun in his body. To determine where the focus of inflammation is, the child should be examined by a pediatrician. Based on the results of the examination, additional tests are prescribed.

If the study revealed an excess of other indicators, it means that an infection of a bacterial or viral nature develops in the body. This condition is observed when:

  • allergies;
  • complications after ARVI;
  • injuries to various areas of the body;
  • decreased immunity;
  • purulent processes any localization;
  • pathologies endocrine system;
  • respiratory damage.

The value of ESR is overestimated not only because of the disease, but also for the following physiological reasons:

An increase in the interaction of red blood cells in children occurs with severe nervous shocks. The effect of the hepatitis vaccine on the child leads to a similar result.

What to do if ESR deviates from the norm?

In order for the indicator to drop to acceptable values, it is necessary to establish the disease that caused the change in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and take therapeutic measures to completely cure the disease. Of great importance in this matter is the correct diagnosis.

Timely medication allows the baby to recover in a short time. However, parents need to know how long it takes for the ESR to normalize.

In diseases of an infectious nature, the restoration of the rate of sedimentation of red blood cells occurs 6-8 weeks after the disappearance of the symptoms of the disease. If ESR remains high for a long time, while other indicators are within acceptable values, then the cause of this condition may be physiological features child. An increase in the indicator can also be associated with the method of analysis. If the baby feels good and looks healthy, you need to retake the analysis in another laboratory.

The health of the baby largely depends on how responsibly the parents approach his treatment. In order not to miss the beginning of the inflammatory process and take timely measures, it is necessary to take an analysis at least once a year to determine the level of ESR. Only a qualified pediatrician can correctly diagnose a baby and choose a treatment regimen. Self-medication can only aggravate the situation

A complete blood count is one of the most affordable, fastest and safest ways to evaluate work. internal organs and the general condition of the child. After receiving a form with test results, parents, as a rule, are lost in an abundance of complex and incomprehensible terms.

In order to have an idea about the health of the crumbs even before going to the pediatrician, it is important to know what exactly each indicator means, how it is deciphered, and what values ​​\u200b\u200bare recognized as a variant of the norm for a child of a particular age category.

In addition to the level of platelets, leukocytes and other important components of the blood, another, no less important indicator, ESR, is studied in the laboratory. Most parents know about ESR only that elevated values ​​indicate the onset of the inflammatory process.

It is not always so. Many factors can affect the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation / binding (abbreviated as ESR), for example, the size of leukocytes, the consistency of the blood and its composition.

The rate of erythrocyte sedimentation / binding is an indicator of a non-specific type that characterizes the speed of interaction of erythrocytes and their connection with each other. It is important to understand that the level of ESR in itself does not give a complete picture of the health of the child's body.

It is possible to talk about pathologies and deviations only in two cases:

  • the ESR level is significantly different from the norm for at least 10 days;
  • along with fluctuations, there is a deviation from the norm in other indicators (for example, the content of leukocytes, platelets, etc.).

blood test to determine elevated ESR

In order to assess the rate of binding of erythrocytes, it is enough to take a blood test (general). It is performed in morning time, no later than 3-4 hours after waking up. Before performing, it is necessary to exclude any food (a small amount of clean water is allowed).

For getting reliable result do not rub the fingertips before submitting the material for analysis. Many parents believe that by such manipulations they will reduce the sensitivity of children's fingers. This is not true. From pain these actions will not save, but they can quite influence the result of the analysis.

  • at least once a year if the child is healthy;
  • at least once every six months, if the child often suffers from colds and infectious diseases;
  • at least 2 times a year - for children under the age of 3;
  • before each preventive vaccination(according to the vaccination schedule).

If, according to the results of the analysis of ESR according to Westergren, it turns out to be increased, it is impossible to vaccinate. You should retake the analysis and see what the indicators turned out to be. If the level again exceeds the permissible values, the child needs a mandatory examination, since there is a high probability of developing an inflammatory process.

In some cases, the doctor may send the baby for analysis within a few days. This is necessary in cases where the child looks healthy, but the erythrocyte sedimentation rate remains high according to the results of 2-3 studies. If the ESR is elevated for 10 days in a row, it is possible that there are hidden foci of inflammation in the body.

ESR norm for children of different ages

The ESR indicator can differ significantly in children of different ages, but it should not go beyond the permissible values.

The rate of interaction of erythrocytes is a variable value and what it will be depends even on the sex of the child. For example, in girls (regardless of age), this indicator may be slightly higher than in boys of the same age category.

The norm of ESR depending on the age of the child

Various factors can affect the ESR, so it is not a stable value and can change with each blood test. If the results of several analyzes consistently show deviations from the permissible limits, we are talking about malfunctions in the work of the child's body.

On what factors does ESR depend?

  • Gender of the child.

In girls, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is always slightly higher than in boys.

  • Anemia.

With a reduced number of erythrocytes, their sedimentation rate increases.

  • Times of Day.

The maximum erythrocyte sedimentation rate is observed in the period from 10 to 15 hours.

  • The presence of inflammatory foci.

Prolonged inflammation leads to a stable increase in ESR.

  • The composition of the blood.

Acute-phase proteins of blood plasma contribute to the acceleration of erythrocyte binding due to adsorption on their surface.

  • Infections (bacterial, viral and fungal).

With the development infectious process indicators change a day after the onset of signs of malaise (fever, fever, etc.).

Increased ESR - causes

An increase in the rate of binding of erythrocytes is observed in various inflammatory processes resulting from infectious diseases.

The most common reasons for an increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate are the following:

  • tuberculosis;
  • measles, rubella;
  • angina and others bacterial infections respiratory tract;
  • anemia (anemia);
  • allergic reaction upon contact with irritants / allergens;
  • damage to bone and articular tissue (trauma, fractures);
  • hemoblastosis;
  • whooping cough;
  • endocrine pathologies.

Parents should remember that the rate of erythrocyte binding returns to normal only 30-45 days after complete recovery. Therefore, do not panic if for some time after the illness the level of ESR will be slightly increased.

False positive ESR analysis

In some cases, an increase in the rate of interaction of erythrocytes is in no way associated with infections and pathologies in the work of internal organs.

In newborns and infants, an increase in ESR is often caused by errors in the mother's diet (in case the woman is breastfeeding). In order for the indicator to return to normal, all fatty foods will have to be excluded from the diet. If it is impossible to exclude, then at least limit it as much as possible.

Why can ESR be lowered?

A low level of ESR in children is much less common than a high level. If the high rate of interaction of erythrocytes can be the result of the influence of external factors that are not related to the health of the child, then a low one almost always indicates serious disturbances in the work of the child's body.

Pathology of the circulatory system is one of the common reasons why the ESR in a child may fall below acceptable limits. At the same time, the number of red blood cells in the blood remains the same or even increases, but they interact weakly with each other.

If, according to the results of the analysis, it was found that the baby has a low rate of erythrocyte binding, this may indicate one of the following pathologies:

  • poor clotting;
  • severe blood thinning;
  • circulation disorder.

Intoxication after an infection. Vomiting and diarrhea, which are integral companions of any type of poisoning, lead to dehydration of the body and the accumulation of toxic substances and poisons in the cells of the body. With this condition, a decrease in ESR is almost always observed. The same picture is typical for viral hepatitis.

Cardiac pathologies. Disorders in the work of the heart (dystrophic type) are also accompanied by a persistent decrease in ESR. It is for this reason that all children who have a low rate of erythrocyte binding must be examined by a cardiologist without fail.

If ESR is abnormal

Almost all parents start to worry if the indicators laboratory research blood is different from normal values. In the case of ESR, you should first familiarize yourself with the numbers.

What does the difference mean?

Important! It is impossible to draw a conclusion about the presence of infection only by the level of ESR, since this indicator is very unstable.

To confirm and clarify the diagnosis, the child will be assigned additional studies, for example:

  • C-reactive protein;
  • Ultrasound of internal organs;
  • urine test;
  • rheumatic tests;
  • blood test for biochemical parameters.

Fluctuations in ESR do not require any special treatment, since this value is only an indicator characterizing the work of internal organs. Therapy of the child is prescribed only if the cause is identified and an accurate diagnosis is made, since it depends on the elimination of the main factor how quickly the ESR will return to normal.

A blood test is carried out for children for preventive purposes and if a certain disease is suspected. One of the indicators by which it is determined whether there are any pathological conditions, is . What does this indicator mean in the analysis results. What are the norms of ESR in children? What are the main reasons for the increase and decrease in the indicator?

Children are usually given this study during preventive examinations. In addition, the results of the analysis help to establish a diagnosis if an inflammatory process occurs in the body. During inflammation, the accumulation of substances begins that accelerate gluing, and ESR is an indicator of the rate of sedimentation of red blood cells. It is determined during research.

The sedimentation rate reacts to any disturbances in the body. These changes are observed on the result of the analysis even during the period when the disease is just emerging, and concomitant symptoms missing. Therefore, if the necessary measures are taken, serious complications can be avoided.

To determine the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation, the blood is affected with an anticoagulant.

As a result, according to the law of gravity, the red bodies fall down - to the bottom of the vessel. To determine the ESR, look at the height of the upper layer, which was formed within sixty minutes. The height is measured in this case in millimeters.

You can determine this property of blood in the following ways:

  1. Westergren's method. It is more reliable. For it, blood from a vein is used, and it is carried out in a vertical test tube. This method is most often used in private clinics.
  2. Panchenkov's method. Following the Panchenkov method, blood is placed on a vertically placed tube - Panchenkov's capillary. In public medical institutions, this diagnostic method is often used.

The rate of settling can vary depending on a variety of reasons. At elevated level re-examination is scheduled in a few days.

It is important to know that ESR is not enough to determine the diagnosis. The specialist takes into account all the analysis indicators - the level,. If necessary, additional diagnostic methods are prescribed.

Preparing for the study and performing the procedure

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is sensitive to many factors. Therefore, it is necessary to know the features of preparation for analysis.

Before the study, it is important to observe the following rules:

  • Before donating blood, it is not recommended to eat food. The procedure is best done on an empty stomach. Especially affects fried and fatty foods. Its reception should be limited a couple of days before the study.
  • The result may be affected by recent physiotherapy procedures or x-rays.
  • It is desirable that the baby was in a good mood. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent children's crying and stressful situations, since these conditions affect the rate of blood cell sedimentation.
  • Before carrying out the analysis, you should rest for fifteen minutes after walking to the laboratory.
  • Before the procedure, physical activity should be excluded.
  • Parents should also tell the specialist if the child has taken any medications, since some of them can also affect the result of the ESR.

For children, blood for analysis is taken from the ring finger. It is pierced with a scarifier. The amount of blood required for analysis is collected in a test tube.

Under the force of gravity, red blood cells begin to bind to each other. Blood outside the body is divided into a viscous and liquid part. To determine the result, one milliliter of liquid in the test tube is left for one hour. After the passage of this time, the length of the formed colorless part is measured in millimeters. The laboratory assistant enters the result on the form.

Decoding: ESR standards in children

Normal indicators of ESR in the blood of a child vary depending on age

The norms of ESR differ in children depending on the measure of their growing up. A low rate of sedimentation in infants as a result of the peculiarities of protein metabolism in the body.

Normal results of cell sedimentation rate in children are as follows:

  • From twelve years - from 3 to 15 mm
  • From eight years - from 4 to 12 mm
  • Up to five years - from 5 to 11 mm
  • Up to a year - from 3 to 10 mm
  • Up to six months - from 4 to 6 mm
  • Up to two months - from 2 to 6 mm
  • Newborn - 2 to 2.8 mm

It is important to note that this is the rate of erythrocyte cell sedimentation per hour.

In boys, the ESR is usually lower than in girls. For boys in adolescence, the norm is from 1 to 10 mm per hour, while for girls at this age, the norm is from 2 to 15 mm. Also, the level depends on the time of the day - from lunch to evening, ESR often rises.

There are also certain periods of increase in the indicator: 28 to 31 days from the date of birth of the baby and two years of age (at this stage, the speed can increase up to 17 mm.

ESR increase

A high rate of red cell sedimentation indicates that inflammatory processes begin in the body. When there is an increase in ESR at the same time as a high WBC count, this may indicate acute inflammation.

In infants, an increase in ESR can provoke the following reasons:

  • Vitamin deficiency.
  • Teething.
  • Use of drugs containing ibuprofen or paracetamol.
  • Helminthiasis.
  • Weakened immunity.

If a woman who is breastfeeding has included fatty foods in her diet, this factor also contributes to an increase in the indicator. In addition, the syndrome of increased ESR, which is an individual feature of the body, can be observed in children.

Among the possible diseases that affect the acceleration of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, the following can be distinguished:

  • Tonsillitis
  • SARS
  • Sinusitis
  • Bronchitis
  • Pneumonia
  • Flu
  • Cystitis
  • Tuberculosis
  • Sepsis
  • Pyelonephritis
  • Oncological diseases (lymphoma, leukemia)
  • Meningococcal infection
  • Herpes
  • Otitis

Other infections include measles, whooping cough, diphtheria, rubella, typhoid, parotitis, and poliomyelitis. An increased value in frequent cases indicates these infectious diseases.

For statistics, most often a high indicator indicates the presence infectious disease, oncological processes, less often provoke its rheumatic diseases and renal failure (glomerulonephritis, colic, nephrotic syndrome).

Useful video - Blood test in children:

ESR increases with inflammation in tissues and organs, purulent processes, and metabolic disorders. Influence the rate of endocrine system disease (, hypothyroidism,), autoimmune diseases, pathologies, diseases of bile passages. Sometimes this process can provoke diseases of the blood and heart. Injuries and burns, intoxication are also considered causes high rate. There is an increase in the rate of erythrocytes in the postoperative period.

An excessive increase in ESR may be a sign of Waldenström's syndrome, multiple myeloma and vasculitis. A high value can provoke immature red cells, hyperproteinemia.

It is important to note that in the period after the illness, an increase in ESR can be observed for some more time - sometimes up to three months. To determine whether any disease is causing a high score, you need to pay attention to other symptoms. Changes in external behavior may indicate diseases: loss of appetite, drowsiness, inactivity, capriciousness. If an increase in the index provoked an acute inflammatory process, then hyperthermia can be observed.

Reduced ESR

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