platelet counts in toddlers

[hisrib]

not sure if anyone can help........our baby's ped called us last week to say her platelet counts were elevated, normal being 400,000 and hers were 700,000. They think stress was a factor (she was poke 4 times before they got the blood) or maybe was fighting a virus. We have to have a redraw next week and if they are still up we are going to a hematologist. Most of the info in my texts only mentions low platelet counts.......she also just had her MMR vax, which could be something, too........

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

There are a bunch of things that can cause an elevated platelet count. Being poked four times is stressful, but the bone marrow just isn't that efficient that it can boost platelets like that. Do you live at high altitude in a cold climate? Is she breast fed and not getting an iron supplement? The inflammation from her MMR could do it. Odds are when you have it repeated, it'll be normal and you can go back to being a relaxed parent.

[hisrib]

thanks for your info! No high altitude here, we live in Missouri. She is 13 months but was breastfed before that. I should mention on her CBC that everything else was completely normal, no strange white counts or anything like that, and her ped. is certain it isn't anemia.

There are a bunch of things that can cause an elevated platelet count. Being poked four times is stressful, but the bone marrow just isn't that efficient that it can boost platelets like that. Do you live at high altitude in a cold climate? Is she breast fed and not getting an iron supplement? The inflammation from her MMR could do it. Odds are when you have it repeated, it'll be normal and you can go back to being a relaxed parent.