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Peripheral blood picture following mild head trauma in children
Bulent Alioglu1, Emel Ozyurek, Zekai Avci
1Department of Pediatric Hematology, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. alioglub@gmail.com
Insights
Mild head trauma in children may increase white blood cell and neutrophil counts. Complete blood counts may be unnecessary for asymptomatic pediatric patients with mild head trauma and a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Trauma Research
- Clinical Pathology
Background:
- Mild head trauma is common in children.
- Understanding its hematological impact is crucial for diagnosis and management.
- Peripheral blood cell counts may be altered following trauma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in peripheral white blood cell (WBC) and differential counts after mild head trauma in pediatric patients.
- To determine if WBC counts can serve as indicators of mild head trauma in children.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-one pediatric patients (mean age 79 months) with mild head trauma (Glasgow Coma Scale score 15) were enrolled.
- Blood samples were collected on arrival and 24 hours post-trauma.
- Complete blood counts were analyzed using a hemocytometer and peripheral smear examination.
Main Results:
- No complications were observed in any patient during or after hospitalization.
- Significant differences were noted in white blood cell, neutrophil, and immature cell counts at 24 hours post-trauma compared to initial counts (P=0.047, P=0.039, P=0.009).
Conclusions:
- Mild head trauma in children can lead to transient increases in WBC, neutrophil, and band counts.
- Complete blood count may be omitted in asymptomatic pediatric patients with mild head trauma (GCS 15) and no risk factors.
- Further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings and establish definitive clinical guidelines.
Background:
The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in peripheral white blood cell, and differential counts following mild head trauma in a pediatric population.
Methods:
Fifty-one patients (mean age, 79 +/- 62 months) with mild head trauma (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score 15) who were admitted to the emergency department, were studied. Two blood specimens were collected from each patient, one on arrival and one after 24 h at the emergency department. Complete blood count was performed using a hemocytometer and the absolute cell counts for each sample were calculated after examination of peripheral smear.
Results:
No patient developed any complication during the hospital stay or after discharge. Significant differences were found for white blood cell, neutrophil, and immature cell counts just after and 24 h after trauma (P = 0.047, 0.039 and 0.009, respectively).
Conclusions:
Mild head trauma may cause an increase in white blood cell, neutrophil and band counts in children just after trauma. In a child with a mild head trauma, who is asymptomatic, with GCS score of 15 and absence of risk factors, and without clinical deterioration, complete blood cell count may be omitted from laboratory workup. But a prospective randomized study comparing mild head trauma patients with good and bad clinical outcome is needed to draw a definite conclusion.
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