(Photo is mine)
There is nothing more painful for a mother or a parent to see her child in pain.
On February 15, 2018 around 4:00 p.m. I brought my Eighth month old baby, Siti Maisha Maisarah to hospital because she had a fever for two days and already reached 40° C.
When her pediatrician saw her, the first thing she noticed was my baby's skin. The doctor said that the color of her skin and lips was was very pale.
The doctor gave referral for laboratory tests to check her urine and blood. Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Platelet Count was done, but her urine was not evaluated because her urine volume was not enough and I also had difficulty getting her urine because it was not easy to get a urine using an infant urine bag. An active infant can cause the bag to move, so it may take more than 1 try to collect the sample.
(Photo is mine)
What are the Complete Blood Count test (CBC)?
It is a blood test used to evaluate your overall health and detect a wide range of disorders, including anemia, infection and leukemia.
We got the result at 7:00 p.m., I look at it and it shows that some results are not in the normal range but I don't think negative about it.
(Photo is mine)
When we returned to her Pedia to show the result, she told me to admit my baby to the hospital because her White Blood Cells were high and the MCV was low and may have blood infections. She said that the hematologist needs to see my baby for further examination.
What is an MCV Blood Test?
MCV stands for MEAN CORPUSCULAR VOLUME. An MCV blood test measures the average size of your red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes.
Please see link for reference:
https://medlineplus.gov/labtests/mcvmeancorpuscularvolume.html
White blood cell count
A low white blood cell count (leukopenia) may be caused by a medical condition, such as an autoimmune disorder that destroys white blood cells, bone marrow problems or cancer. Certain medications also can cause white blood cell counts to drop.
If your white blood cell count is higher than normal, you may have an infection or inflammation. Or, it could indicate that you have an immune system disorder or a bone marrow disease. A high white blood cell count can also be a reaction to medication.
Please see link for reference:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/complete-blood-count/about/pac-20384919.
I asked the doctor if it is okay not to admit my baby to the hospital for the time being, if it is okay to have an oral medication at home as a second option. I am pity to see my baby experiencing traumatic medical treatments such as collecting blood samples by inserting a needle into vein and putting Dextrose injection through her hand or foot. It can be too painful, unnerving, and frightening for the baby.
Other reason also is because of financially, I know that it will cost a lot and it can reach up to four or more days in the hospital.
The doctor asked me to sign a waiver because I refused to admit my baby. She just prescribed antibiotic for oral medication good for seven days, if my baby's fever will get back within treatment period, I have to send her back to the hospital. She also referred my baby to Hematologist to see the CBC and Platelet results.
Then, I brought my baby to a Hematologist yesterday to consult about my baby's condition. The doctor explained well about the blood test results, She said that the baby must admit to the hospital because might have infections.
(Photo is mine)
Hematologist advised me to finish the first antibiotic prescribed to be taken for seven days, then bring back the baby to her Pediatrician to have her Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Platelet Count-blood test again, but must observe the baby's condition... If something unusual happens to my baby and if fever back within a week, must send the baby to the hospital and do not wait for the baby's condition to get worse before I act...
(Photo is mine)
We will just hope and pray that next time we do the blood test, everything will be fine and she will be cheerful again.
(Photo is mine)
*Photo credits: Google image, Wikepedia, and other photos are mine
Please see link for your references
https://medlineplus.gov/labtests/mcvmeancorpuscularvolume.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/complete-blood-count/about/pac-20384919
I would like to thank @iwrite for mentoring me, for his guidance and his patience. I am very blessed and thankful to have him as my mentor.
Thanks and more power to Steemit Diversify Team mostly to our leaders sir John (@iwrite), ma'am Kyumi (@antonette), ma'am Daisy (@purpledaisy57), and Sir Bo (@bobiecayao)
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