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Similarity in white blood cell counts between white and black children with bacteremia
Insights
White and black children with bacterial infections show similar white blood cell (WBC) and polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) counts. These counts can help identify high-risk patients for Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteremia, regardless of race.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
Background:
- Bacteremia in children, particularly from Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b, poses a significant health risk.
- Accurate identification of children at high risk for bacteremia is crucial for timely and effective treatment.
- Previous studies have not definitively established whether racial differences impact white blood cell (WBC) and polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) counts in pediatric bacteremia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential racial disparities in white blood cell (WBC) and absolute polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) counts among children presenting with bacteremia.
- To determine if WBC and PMN counts can be reliably used to assess risk for Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteremia across different racial groups.
- To evaluate the influence of co-existing conditions, such as meningitis, on WBC and PMN counts in pediatric bacteremia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 104 white and 52 black children diagnosed with bacteremia.
- Analysis of white blood cell (WBC) and absolute polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) counts at emergency room presentation.
- Comparison of WBC and PMN counts between racial groups and subgroups with or without meningitis or other focal infections.
Main Results:
- Mean WBC and PMN counts were virtually identical between white and black children with bacteremia.
- No significant racial differences were observed in WBC and PMN counts, even when stratifying by the presence of meningitis or other focal infections.
- Significantly lower mean WBC and PMN counts were found in children with meningitis compared to those without, irrespective of race.
Conclusions:
- White blood cell (WBC) and polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) counts in children with bacteremia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae type b do not differ significantly by race.
- WBC and PMN counts are valuable indicators for identifying children at high risk for these specific types of bacteremia.
- These hematological parameters can be interpreted without regard to race, simplifying risk assessment in pediatric bacteremia cases.
Abstract:
The charts of 104 white and 52 black children with bacteremia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae type b were reviewed to determine each patient's white blood cell (WBC) and absolute polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) counts at the time of presentation to the emergency room. Mean WBC and PMN counts were virtually identical for the racial groups, 18,300 vs. 18,700/microliter and 12,900 vs. 13,000/microliter, respectively. Examination of subgroups of white and black children with or without meningitis or other focal infection also revealed no significant differences between races, although significantly lower mean WBC and PMN counts were found in children with, compared to those without, meningitis regardless of race. As an aid to the identification of children at high risk for S. pneumoniae or H. influenzae type b bacteremia, it appears that WBC and PMN counts may be interpreted without regard to race.