Leukocytes in pregnancy

Blood test during pregnancy

According to the current Organizational Standard for Perinatal Care, every pregnant woman should have a blood count test every month. This is important because of the monitoring of parameters such as. The number of leukocytes or platelets, as well as hemoglobin levels. Abnormalities on the test can be related to infection, anemia or complications of pregnancy.

Read also:
Calendar of tests during pregnancy

Leukocytes-what are they?

Leukocytes are otherwise known as white blood cells (WBCs). Among them are: neutrophils-neutrophilic granulocytes, eosinophilic acidophilic granulocytes, basophilic granulocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes. In a large simplification, it can be said that white blood cells are responsible for human immunity. During, among other things. infection, their number increases in order to “fight” the infection.  

Leukocytes in pregnancy-norms

During pregnancy, many changes take place in the body of the mother-to-be. They do not bypass the hematopoietic and circulatory systems. The number of blood cell proteins gradually increases during pregnancy. However, this is leukocytosis unrelated to the disease process. For this reason, the norms for pregnant women, in the case of white blood cells, are less stringent than for those who are not pregnant (4-10 thousand). The exact ranges of the standard depend on the laboratory where the test is performed, but it is generally considered that a WBC level above 15,000 should arouse the vigilance of doctors and may be associated with an ongoing infection.

Leukocytes in pregnancy-elevated

Elevated leukocytes in pregnancy may be associated with an ongoing infection. Most often in such a situation, additional laboratory tests are performed, for example. CRP and a general urine test. Elevated leukocytes can accompany urinary tract infections or acute conditions such as appendicitis. If a pregnancy-related cause causing leukocytosis is not found, the pregnant woman is referred to a hematologist for consultation.

Leukocytes in pregnancy- in urine test

Another test that should be performed regularly during pregnancy, once every 4 weeks, is a general urine test. Among the elements evaluated in the test is the presence of leukocytes in the urine. It is considered that they can properly be in the number of max. 3-5 in the field of view. Leukocyturia, or an increased number of leukocytes in the urine, is most often associated with an ongoing urinary tract infection or kidney malfunction.

Read more:
Leukocytes in urine during pregnancy