Red blood cells, also called erythrocytes, are cells of human blood serving to move oxygen from the lungs to all tissues of the body. Normally, when the urine of the child does not have red blood cells, or a maximum of 2 units.
What does the high content of red blood cells in urine mean?
An increased number of erythrocytes is called hematuria. Before receiving the results of the tests, you can visually assess the state of urine. If it is red or brown, it means that it contains red blood cells, in which case it will be called machematuria. If red blood cells are present, but you can not determine them by eye, but only in a microscope, then this is called microhematuria.
If in the analyzes of the child the level of erythrocytes is increased, then this can talk about:
- problems in the genitourinary system;
- kidney disease;
- pneumonia;
- disorders and abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract;
- tuberculosis.
Sometimes the increase in erythrocytes occurs with a strong physical load, but this phenomenon is not of a lasting nature and can not be confirmed if the analysis is re-submitted.
Types of red blood cells
Erythrocytes are divided into two groups: fresh - unchanged and leached - changed.
- Changed erythrocytes in the urine of a child are observed with a long stay in acid urine. They do not contain hemoglobin. In their form they are compared with colorless rings. To the changed erythrocytes also it is possible to carry two more forms - wrinkled and enlarged in diameter erythrocytes. They are observed in the urine with a high (wrinkled) and low (increased) relative density.
- Unchanged erythrocytes in the urine of the child, in contrast to the previous ones, contain hemoglobin. And in form they can be compared with yellowish-green discs. This form of erythrocytes can be found in neutral, weakly acidic and alkaline urine.
How to reduce the number of red blood cells in the urine?
If a high number of erythrocytes is found in the urine, it is first necessary to identify and begin to treat the disease, because of which they have increased. If your pediatrician can not indicate the cause, then mandatory to conduct a comprehensive examination and pass additional tests, to make ultrasound.
If kidney disease is diagnosed, it is recommended:
- observe a special renal diet;
- start the use of anti-inflammatory drugs;
- in some cases it is appropriate to use diuretics and antibiotics;
- To reduce the burden on the kidneys, you need to reduce the amount of fluid you drink.
When urinary tract infections are diagnosed, they are most often prescribed:
- taking antibiotics;
- or recommend antimicrobial instillations (instillation - introduction into the urinary tract, or in the bladder of drugs).
Also, whatever the reason for the increase in red blood cells, it is worth consulting about the diet. Sometimes it is necessary to reduce the amount of salt consumed, or acidic products, which can cause increased salt formation in the body.
Erythrocytes in the urine of infants
Being in the maternal tummy, the baby's body also needs oxygen. For his enough erythrocytes in the body of the baby worked out more than people outside the mother's stomach. After a birth their volume starts to decrease promptly (by the way, because of it at newborns also there is a jelly).
Also, in young children, the increase in the number of red blood cells is observed after the catarrhal diseases, upper respiratory tract infections. But in these cases, the doctor will only recommend vitamins, and will prescribe a reanalysis, after a while.
In boys, the cause of an increase in red blood cells can be phimosis (difficulty in exposing the head of the penis). Therefore, it will be appropriate to consult a urologist.
It's good when parents can decipher the tests, but in order not to confuse anything, and then not start to wind themselves, do not forget to use the decoding to contact specialists.