Low white blood count

jeska511

Hello.

 

Any fellow mommies of toddlers out there have any experience with LO having a low white blood cell count repeatedly? 

I know white blood count is lowered when a child is sick, has a virus, infection, etc. In this case, that is not the cause; my LO is healthy and has had no recent illnesses. 

 I am asking because 1 month old my son turned up a low white blood cell count and the doctor rechecked it today expecting it to be back to normal. Well she called earlier and it is still low. She said this was odd since it had been a month and talked to a hematologist (blood doctor). He said it could be this really long word that she could barely even pronounce where it attacks a toddler's cells for about a year and is not that harmful or something else or nothing at all...geesh. Anyway, she wants us to come back in 1 month to get it checked once again and if it is still low then we will be referred to a specialist to find out more. 

 I am hoping it is nothing and it might be but after doing some research online I am worried beyond crazy. There are several causes and one happens to be Leukemia.

So I was just wondering if any of you have had a similar experience and what the positive/negative result was? TIA. 

XCrissCrossX

Google is bad. You are not a doctor. Do not google.

But since you already did, did you happen to look at the other symptoms of Leukemia?  Is your son showing any other signs that make you think it could be leukemia?

If the doctor isn't worried about cancer, I wouldn't jump there. However, I wouldn't hesitate to ask for more testing now, if you think it would ease your mind (testing for leukemia is definitely painful and unpleasant though). 

Why did they check his white count in the first place?

I think it's more likely he was fighting a cold both times and just didn't have any outward symptoms of that. But I'm not a doctor either.

dairygirl19

I have no idea, but please stay off Google. "You're perfectly fine with this minor issue" never pops up on Google after all.

If you're dr. isn't worried, I wouldn't be either at this point, esp. if you're son is otherwise acting like a typical baby.

 

jeska511

I did not say anything about google. Guess I should of clarified by saying online research. I am a graduate student and have access to online scholar databases. And I think doctors never truly express worry until something does blow up. Plus his doctor is fairly new in the field. I am aware of the smaller things it could be , i am hoping for the best and sure it will be. I was just wondering if anyone had experience with it but seems like it uncommon.

dpatrickus81

Hello
My now 5 month old had the same when he was three months. He was fighting a virus and during his 4 month check up they took his blood again and it was still the same LWB. So it was sent to a specialist and when the results came back both our Dr and the Hematologist agreed he was still fighting the virus and since he making his milestones and is otherwise healthy they have no raise for concern. They will check his blood again at his 9 month appt and if there it is still the same we will be seeing a specialist for more testing. i was bad and checked Google and everything came up Leukemia. As a parent or as anyone that is not something you want to hear. I had to tell myself the Dr isn't concerned at this point, stay calm, he is fine in every other aspect of life.
Easier said then done, but if you are that worried go in and get more testing. Good Luck and i hope everything turns out ok:)