Causes of High Leukocytes in Pregnant Women

The number of white blood cells or leukocytes can vary depending on age and body condition, including pregnancy. Pregnant women generally have high levels of leukocytes. This can be seen in the results of routine blood tests during pregnancy. Leukocytes are a part of the immune system that functions to fight infection. Therefore, increasing the number of leukocytes is often associated with an infection. But in pregnancy, the number of leukocytes can increase even though there is no infection. This is caused by various changes in the body of pregnant women.

Reasons for High Leukocytes in Pregnant Women

Normal leukocyte count is 5,000-10,000 cells per microliter of blood. The condition for high leukocytes (leukocytosis) is when the number of white blood cells exceeds 10,000 cells per microliter. But during pregnancy, the number of leukocytes can increase to 6,000-13,000 cells per microliter. This condition starts in the first trimester and increases gradually until the last trimester. The main reason for an increase in leukocytes in pregnant women is physical stress (biological burden) during pregnancy. Physical stress arises in response to changes that occur in the body of pregnant women, including the workload of the heart, digestive system, metabolism, and even bone density. The physical stress stimulates the production of white blood cells to increase immunity. The number of leukocytes will be higher as they approach and during labor. Even so, you do not need to worry, because this does not harm the fetus.

High Leukocyte Conditions in Pregnant Women to Watch Out for

Although generally increasing the number of leukocytes in pregnant women is a normal condition, but there are several conditions that need to be watched out for and require doctor handling, such as:

1. Having an infection and allergic reaction

When pregnant women experience infections, both due to viruses, bacteria, and parasites, the number of leukocytes can increase to exceed normal limits. This occurs in response to the body's defense against the cause of infection. Similarly, when pregnant women experience allergies, the number of leukocytes can increase to above normal values.

2. Taking certain medicines

Some pregnant women may require special treatment to help with the maturation of fetal organs, especially pregnant women who are at risk of giving birth prematurely. In this condition, pregnant women will be given corticosteroid drugs, such as dexamethasone, which can increase leukocyte levels.

3. Having pregnancy complications

Pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia, can also increase the number of leukocytes during pregnancy. This happens because the condition triggers an inflammatory process in the body, which then stimulates the production of leukocytes. The more severe the condition of preeclampsia, the higher the number of leukocytes in the body of pregnant women.

4. Is a symptom of a tumor or cancer

Tumors and cancer can be a cause of high leukocytes in pregnant women. Leukocyte levels can even increase to more than 100,000 cells per microliter of blood. This situation can be a sign of leukemia or bone marrow cancer in pregnant women. High leukocytes are a common condition in pregnant women. However, high leukocytes that are accompanied by fever, impaired vision, breathing, or digestion, need to get a doctor's treatment immediately. This is important to do to prevent dangerous risks to pregnant women and fetuses.