High white blood cell count in pregnancy: Causes, indicators, and implications
Pregnancy brings about numerous changes in a woman's body, and one of these changes is an increase in white blood cell (WBC) count. This article aims to shed light on the significance of WBC counts during pregnancy, their normal ranges, and potential causes for elevated counts.
During pregnancy, signs of infection can include fatigue, fever, unexpected weight loss, shortness of breath, pain, night sweats, wheezing, rash, bruising easily, excessive bleeding, nausea, and vomiting. While a mild increase in WBC count is typical during pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester, significantly elevated WBC counts, especially when accompanied by symptoms such as fever or high blood pressure, may indicate an infection requiring further evaluation.
Beyond normal pregnancy-related leukocytosis, various factors can contribute to an elevated WBC count. These include infections, chronic inflammatory diseases, chronic conditions like diabetes and kidney disease, stress, and lifestyle factors such as poor diet, smoking, and inadequate sleep.
If a person has significantly elevated WBCs alongside symptoms such as fever or high blood pressure, doctors may order tests to diagnose the cause. In such cases, a high WBC count during pregnancy is usually not harmful and does not require treatment unless there is an underlying infection or symptoms such as fever and high blood pressure.
Doctors may order further tests to make a diagnosis and determine a treatment plan. Sometimes, this may involve prescribing antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications to treat leukocytosis.
A study of 24,318 pregnant people showed their total WBC count increased between 8 and 40 weeks of gestation. Interestingly, people who had a vaginal delivery had a larger increase in their WBC counts than those who had a cesarean delivery on the first day after delivery.
The body's inflammatory response is to increase immature cells, which leave the bone marrow too soon and enter the bloodstream when there is a high WBC count. High WBC counts have an association with preeclampsia, a serious condition that develops in the third trimester of pregnancy and causes a sudden rise in blood pressure.
An elevated WBC count in pregnant people is common due to the body changing to carry a fetus. However, it is crucial to differentiate these causes from normal pregnancy-related leukocytosis, which is generally mild and asymptomatic. Careful clinical correlation and laboratory evaluation help identify pathological causes of elevated WBC during pregnancy.
White blood cell counts are regularly monitored by healthcare teams during postpartum recovery. By the seventh day after delivery, the average WBC count returned to the average WBC count during pregnancy. After that, it continued to fall, reaching nonpregnancy levels within 21 days.
It is essential for pregnant individuals to have regular contact with a healthcare team during pregnancy to monitor their health, including their WBC count. If a pregnant person develops signs of an infection or feels unwell, they should check with a doctor immediately.
In conclusion, while mild WBC elevation is typical in pregnancy, significant increases beyond physiological levels should prompt investigation for infection, chronic inflammatory or medical disorders, and contributing lifestyle factors. Regular monitoring and prompt action can ensure a healthy pregnancy and postpartum recovery.
