Is High WBC (White Blood Cells) Count in Pregnancy Harmful?

High WBC Count In Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

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During pregnancy, your blood volume increases by up to 50%. With a decline in hemoglobin levels and hematocritⁱXThe percentage of red blood cells (RBCs) in blood (particularly in the last trimester), the platelet count also slightly decreases. However, the white blood cells (WBCs) in the blood increase following pregnancy, termed leukocytosis.

Leukocytes or WBCs are classified as agranulocytes (lymphocytes and monocytes) and granulocytes (eosinophils, neutrophils, and basophils), which make up the body’s immune system and fight against infection (1).

Read this post to know about the causes of high WBC count in pregnancy and the complications associated with this condition.

In This Article

What Is The White Blood Cell Count During Pregnancy?

High WBC count in pregnancy due to gestational diabetes

Image: IStock

Following pregnancy, there is a gradual increase in the normal WBC count (leukocytosis), with a slight shift toward an increased percentage of neutrophils.

Leukocytosis begins in the first trimester, continues throughout the pregnancy, peaks during delivery, and usually normalizes after four weeks (1) (2).

Trimesters	WBC (Leukocyte) count
Non-pregnant reference range	4.8–10.8 x 10³/mm³
First and second trimesters	6–16 x 10³/mm³ (3.5 x 10³/mm³ increase)
Third trimester	20–30 x 10³/mm³

However, several studies have associated leukocytosis in the first trimester with a complicated pregnancy, preeclampsiaⁱXA pregnancy condition characterized by the onset of high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and water retention , and gestational diabetes mellitusⁱXA condition characterized by elevated blood sugar levels due to hormonal and physical changes in pregnancy

(GDM) (3) (4). Therefore, the leukocyte count must be correctly interpreted and correlated during your antenatal visits and postnatal care (1).

During pregnancy, the white blood cells are frequently examined to look for signs of infection or inflammation in the body. The WBC levels rise from eight to forty weeks into the gestational period. As seen in the graph below, they peak around the 32nd week and start sloping downward (12).

White blood cells in pregnancy

Source: White Blood Cells in Pregnancy

What Are The Causes of High WBC Count During Pregnancy?

Liesel Teen, BSN, a registered labor and delivery nurse from Raleigh, North Carolina, says, “Even in healthy pregnancies, it is normal for a woman’s WBC count to increase, especially towards the end of pregnancy. However, if this elevation is accompanied by any signs of infection or other medical conditions, it likely will warrant further testing and evaluation.

“Specific causes of elevated WBC counts include bacterial or viral infections, leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, certain medications (such as epinephrineⁱXA hormone as well as a neurotransmitter responsible for the body’s fight or flight response or corticosteroids), severe allergic reactions, and even severe stress. Any bacterial or viral infection in the body can result in an elevation in a person’s white blood cell count.”

In general, an increased WBC count indicates (1)

Acute infection
Trauma
Dehydration

Image: IStock
HemoconcentrationⁱXAn increase in the cellular components and a decrease in plasma volume in the blood
Cancer (such as chronic leukemia)
Overuse of medications such as corticosteroids

However, due to the physiological stress caused by pregnancy, you may have a higher WBC count even in normal pregnancy. Hence, maternal WBC count cannot be a primary screening technique for detecting severe pregnancy complications (5). Conversely, an increased WBC count in your urine sample indicates a urinary tract infection (UTI) (6).

Recollecting the events during a visit to the emergency room (due to suspected blood in urine) during pregnancy, a mother of twin girls says, “Doctor came in to inform me of my elevated WBC (white blood cell) count and yes, in fact, blood in my urine. I ended up being diagnosed with a minor bladder infection, causing the blood in my urine. Preggo-friendly antibiotics would do the trick to clear it up (i).”

Urinary tract infection during pregnancy

Image: IStock

Pregnancy demands a complex physiological response where the endocrine systemⁱXA complex system of glands and organs that produce hormones , metabolic processes, and genital system undergo several changes to nourish the developing fetus and prepare the body for labor and delivery. As your pregnancy progresses, this physiological and emotional stress raises your leukocyte count as the leukocytes accept stimulatory impulses (7).

What Does The White Blood Cell Differential Count Indicate In Pregnancy?

During a healthy pregnancy, leukocytosis is generally referred to as an increased percentage of neutrophils in the blood. However, there are many types of WBCs, and elevated levels of other WBCs may imply different diagnoses (1) (8).

Neutrophils: An increased level of neutrophils (neutrophilia) generally indicates acute bacterial infection, burns, acute stress, leukemia (blood cancer), rheumatoid arthritis, and steroid use. However, neutrophilia is normal during pregnancy due to impaired neutrophil apoptosis and may not have any clinical significance.

Quick fact

The increase in the WBC count is mainly due to a rise in neutrophil and lymphocyte counts (1).

Eosinophils: Eosinophilia (high eosinophil count) usually indicates the presence of allergic conditions, parasitic infections, and leukemia polyarteritis nodosa autoimmune disease. However, it also decreases with gestational age (mostly in the third trimester).

Basophils: Basophilia (high basophil count) is generally caused by allergic conditions, chronic myelogenous leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, and oral contraceptive usage. However, it also decreases as your gestation advances.

Monocytes: Monocytes are the largest WBCs, and monocytosis (high monocyte count) is generally caused by chronic inflammation, Cushing’s syndrome, viral infection, and bacterial infections such as tuberculosis. During pregnancy, there is an absolute monocytosis, especially in the first trimester, but this reduces as your gestation advances.

Lymphocytes: Lymphocytosis (high lymphocyte count) is generally caused by viral infections, leukemias, and adrenal insufficiency. However, an increase in the lymphocyte percentage in the WBCs during pregnancy may indicate a bacterial infection.

Quick fact

Studies have shown that lymphocyte count decreases during the first and second trimesters and increases during the third trimester (1).

How To Diagnose High White Blood Cell Count During Pregnancy?

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Routine blood tests during pregnancy, such as a complete blood count (CBC) test, typically measure the leukocyte count. Your doctor may carry out diagnostic tests for hemoglobin, WBC, and platelet counts in almost every prenatal care visit to look for conditions that may complicate the pregnancy (6).

What Are The Signs Of High White Blood Cell Count During Pregnancy?

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An elevated white blood cell count may not present any symptoms in pregnancy. However, the symptoms of a high WBC count in non-pregnant people usually include (9)

Fever
Bruising/bleeding tendency
Fatigue
ImmunosuppressionⁱXA reduction in the efficacy or strength of the immune system
Night sweats
Weight loss

If you detect any of these symptoms while pregnant, contact your healthcare provider, as it may be a sign of infection or underlying medical complications.

Can A High White Blood Cell Count Cause Miscarriage?

While leukocytosis is common during pregnancy, it could also result from an underlying problem that typical prenatal WBC count tests cannot detect, necessitating extra screening. In the first trimester, higher platelet levels and WBC counts are linked to a higher risk of miscarriage, thus highlighting the significance of monitoring these markers for potential pregnancy complications (5) (10).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can preeclampsia cause a high white blood cell count?

Yes. Studies have revealed that preeclampsia can lead to an elevation in white blood cell levels (3).

2. What WBC count in pregnancy indicates leukemia?

A blood count falling in the range of 100,000 – 400,000 indicates the presence of leukemia (11).

3. How does a high WBC count affect the immune system during pregnancy?

A high WBC count during pregnancy, also known as leucocytosis, is induced by the physiological stress of pregnancy. A moderate increase in WBC count during pregnancy is normal. However, if the WBC count rises abnormally, it may indicate an underlying condition or infection (8).

4. What precautions can be taken to prevent a high WBC count in pregnancy?

Routine blood tests conducted by healthcare providers throughout pregnancy help monitor any potential abnormalities and ensure the well-being of both the mother and the baby. However, you may take general precautions, such as maintaining hygiene, staying hydrated, eating a well-balanced diet, and religiously following prescribed medications, to minimize the risk of infections and inflammatory conditions (13).

Although there could be no characteristic signs to depict a high WBC count in pregnancy, some women could experience a tendency to bleed easily, high fever, tiredness, and weight loss. In addition, during pregnancy, there may be an increase in the white blood cell (WBC) count that begins as early as the first trimester. This is due to the sudden pregnancy-related changes that occur in the body. While a slight increase in WBC count could be expected during pregnancy, it might sometimes be a sign of infections, dehydration, or other medical problems. Therefore, it is ideal to seek medical attention if you experience any atypical symptoms when pregnant to prevent adversities that could impact maternal well-being.

Infographic: Significance Of Increased White Blood Cell Differential Count In Pregnancy

One of the hematological parameters during pregnancy is an elevated white blood cell (WBC) count (leukocytosis), which is typically normal. However, some underlying problems may also increase WBC count during pregnancy. The infographic below covers the implications of the increase in different white blood cells during pregnancy.

implications of high white blood cell differential count in pregnancy (infographic)

Key Pointers

Increase in white blood cell (WBC) count during pregnancy might indicate several underlying conditions.
Stress, dehydration, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and infections are common reasons behind a rise in WBCs during pregnancy.
WBC or leukocyte count is a part of CBC (complete blood count), a routine serological test in pregnancy.
It is necessary to get assessed by your physician to get an accurate interpretation and management of this condition to avoid potential complications.

Learn about the symptoms of an elevated white blood cell (WBC) count and effective management techniques. Get the answers you need to stay healthy during pregnancy.

Personal Experience: Source

MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.

i. A not-so-emergent emergency;
https://themasseyspot.blogspot.com/2012/07/

References

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