Question
The six-month-old baby has recently been experiencing diarrhea, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The white blood cell test result is 14.6, higher than the normal value. The parents are worried about the baby’s health and are asking for advice on how to handle the situation.
Answer
Elevated white blood cells in the baby may indicate an immune response to inflammation. Typically, the normal white blood cell count for infants should be below 12. If the baby’s symptoms of nausea and diarrhea are severe, symptomatic anti-inflammatory medication may be necessary. If the symptoms are not significant, medication may not be required. Parents should not worry excessively; this situation is usually temporary and will improve quickly.