Pregnancy-induced leukocytosis: A case report

Pregnancy is a complex physiological process. Physiological leukocytosis occurs often and is mainly associated with increased neutrophil counts, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy. Non-congenital leukocytosis with white blood cell counts above 20 × 10⁹/L lasting 13 wk during pregnancy is rare and has been reported occasionally. Herein, we present a case of pregnancy-induced leukocytosis.

We present the case of a 33-year-old Chinese woman at 27 wk of gestation who had a leukocytosis complication. No abnormalities were detected in the examinations before pregnancy or in the first trimester. From the third trimester of pregnancy, the patient began to suffer from asymptomatic leukocytosis. We administered antibiotics to treat the patient; however, the complication persisted until the patient underwent a cesarean section after 40⁺³ wk of gestation. One day after the cesarean section, the patient's neutrophil count returned to normal. After 2 years of follow-up, we found that the patient and baby were healthy.

Pregnancy-induced leukocytosis seems to be associated with immunoregulation and pregnancy termination may be the most effective treatment approach for pregnancies complicated with malignant leukocytosis.