Parents may become concerned when their child has a lower-than-normal red blood cell count. A shortage of red blood cells can cause a number of symptoms, including exhaustion, pale skin, and even shortness of breath. Red blood cells are essential for transporting oxygen throughout the body.
The first step in treating your child’s low red blood cell count is figuring out why it is happening. Knowing the symptoms can help you decide the best course of action. There are several potential causes for it, ranging from dietary deficiencies to more serious conditions.
In addition to discussing possible symptoms to watch out for, this article will discuss common causes of low red blood cell counts in children and what you can do to support your child’s health in the future.
| Possible Causes | Symptoms |
| Iron deficiency | Fatigue, weakness, pale skin |
| Vitamin B12 deficiency | Weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath |
| Chronic diseases | Fatigue, irritability, reduced physical activity |
| Genetic conditions | Growth delays, frequent infections |
| Bone marrow disorders | Easy bruising, prolonged bleeding |
Since red blood cells are in charge of distributing oxygen throughout the body, a child’s low red blood cell count can cause fatigue, weakness, and other health issues. To protect the child’s wellbeing and healthy development, it’s critical to recognize the possible causes, such as malnutrition or illness, and to collaborate with a healthcare professional to address the problem with dietary adjustments, supplements, or other treatments.
- What level of red blood cells is considered low
- Types of erythropenia
- Causes
- Symptoms
- Why is erythropenia dangerous for a child
- Video on the topic
- LEUKOCYTES IN THE BLOOD | Why the level of leukocytes in the blood is low and what to do about it
- Low hemoglobin and erythrocytes: causes. Decoding of indicators
- The child has low erythrocytes in the blood
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) – what your blood will tell you
- Problems with blood clotting – Dr. Komarovsky
What level of red blood cells is considered low
The following is thought to be the lower bound of the norm for a child’s blood type’s red blood cell count:
In a baby
In a baby born on the fifth day of life
In a child older than one year
If the child’s blood test indicator is less than these values, a more thorough examination is necessary to determine the cause of the low red blood cell count and to recommend the appropriate course of treatment.
Types of erythropenia
- Relative. Such a decrease in the number of red blood cells is also called false, since the number of cells is not reduced, and the underestimated indicator is associated with blood thinning (for example, due to drinking a lot).
- Absolute. This type of erythropenia is caused by a lack of red blood cells in the peripheral blood, caused by their insufficient formation, accelerated destruction and other reasons.
Causes
There are a few reasons why a red blood cell count may be below normal:
- A disruption in the formation of red cells in the bone marrow. A lack of red blood cells in such cases can be associated with a deficiency of vitamins and minerals (this is often the case with hypovitaminosis and vegetarian diets) or with damage to the bone marrow by poisons, tumors, drugs, radiation and other factors.
- Destruction of red blood cells in the bloodstream. It can be provoked by a chronic inflammatory process, infection, autoimmune reactions, poisoning, a drug or other adverse effect on blood cells.
- Increased removal of red blood cells from the child"s body. The loss of red blood cells can be associated with bleeding from injuries, fractures or operations, as well as with kidney or intestinal problems, due to which red blood cells enter the secretions.
In these conditions, the quantity of red blood cells is decreased:
- Iron deficiency anemia.
- Hemoglobinopathies.
- Hereditary pathologies of red blood cells.
- Leukemia.
- B12-deficiency anemia.
- Hemolytic disease.
- Malignant tumors.
- Myxedema.
- Hemophilia.
- Pyelo- or glomerulonephritis.
- Diphtheria, whooping cough and other infections.
- Liver cirrhosis.
- Collagenoses.
- Chronic renal failure.
- Myeloma disease.
- Ulcerative lesion of the gastrointestinal tract.
We suggest listening to the tape of the well-known physician Evgeny Komarovsky’s show, which is devoted to the examination of a child’s blood. You will gain comprehensive knowledge about the meaning of various indicators, such as the red blood cell count.
Symptoms
The child’s overall health seldom stays normal when there is a decrease in red blood cells. The deficiency of red blood cells most frequently shows up as:
- Weakness.
- Lethargy.
- Drowsiness.
- Decreased appetite.
- Desire to eat inedible things (chalk, sand).
- Rapid onset fatigue.
- Cool and damp skin to the touch.
- Reduced blood pressure.
- Increased temperature to 37-37.5 degrees.
- Pale skin tone.
- Brittle and dry hair.
- Increased pulse.
- Tinnitus.
- Inhibited and slow actions.
- Dizziness, and sometimes fainting.
- Decreased visual acuity.
- Frequent acute respiratory viral infections.
Why is erythropenia dangerous for a child
Decreased red blood cell count is the reason for inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues and deterioration in carbon dioxide extraction from them.
Internal organ function will be violated as a result, which can lead to developmental delays in children and is extremely dangerous. Additionally, the child may experience decreased immunity and blood clotting issues.
It is crucial to keep an eye on a child’s red blood cell counts in order to preserve their general health. It’s critical to speak with a physician for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan if an issue is found.
Depending on the underlying cause, low red blood cell counts can be treated with the appropriate diet, supplements, or medical procedures. Early action can help prevent later, more serious health problems.
Maintaining regular contact with your pediatrician will guarantee that your child receives the care they require to grow and remain healthy.
