Elevated White Blood Count

[mkseym]

My 6 1/2 month old daughter has been sick for several months now.  She keeps getting infections, particularly pneumonia.  Her white blood count has been elevated for some time.  When they first checked it, it was at 13, then 13, then 19, then she got it checked on the 28th of Dec and it was 25.  They were worried about that so rechecked on Jan 3 and it was 25 still.  Rechecked on Jan 7 and down to 19.  Now recheched Jan 15 and back to 25.  Is this a sign of leukemia and did anyone have this as their only sign.  She has been sick and pale and going through spurts of no appetite and loosing weight but she always gets her appetite back and gains the weight back.  She ususally looses a couple pounds.  Thank you for any info.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
What is the exact result of the complete blood count and differential count?
An elevated white blood cell count could mean an ongoing infection that needs to be treated.  Depending on the etiology, specific medications should be given and see whether it will go down.  A persistently elevated white blood cell count could signify resistance to  the present treatment.  Doing blood cultures could help determine the etiology.
However, there are other conditions that could present with an elevated white blood cell count in the absence of infection.  Example would be the leukemias.
It would be best to have her seen by an infectious diseases specialist as well as by a hematologist.
Good luck.

[mkseym]

She was seen by an infectious diseases specialist and they could not figure any reason for the elevated white blood count.  Maybe I will look into taking her to a hematologist.  Thank you for your help.  I appreciate the advice as I am at a loss on what to do.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
Please do post your updates.
Stay positive.
Good luck.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
Please do post your updates.
Stay positive.
Good luck.

[mkseym]

Thank you.  I got a call back from the dr. who is a specialist.  He specializes in infectious disease, hematology, and pediatric oncology.  When he found out that her white blood count was up again he said that obviously she has something wrong with her white blood cells and he named some term that I cannot remember.  In essence he said that her white blood cells are producing to many white blood cells because they are not working properly.  As to why that is I am not sure.  He wants to meet with us on Tuesday and discuss the possibilities and the tests he wants to run.  I am trying not to freak out.  I know that it could be leukemia but there are also other options of what it could be at this point.  Thank you for your advice and support and I will be in touch with what we find out.  I am not sure what tests they are going to do.  If anyone has any ideas i would appreciate any input.  Thanks again!

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
Here are some of the possible tests that will be done to rule out leukemia:  complete blood count with differential count, peripheral blood smear, and bone marrow aspiration biopsy.  Depending on the result, other laboratory examinations will follow.