Question
The newborn’s cry at birth is not clear, and the white blood cell count is abnormally high at 50. The doctor diagnosed it as intrauterine infection. After four days of treatment, the white blood cell count is still as high as 30. Parents are worried about the source of infection, potential sequelae, and the severity of the condition.
Answer
The source of intrauterine infection can be diverse, commonly transmitted through the mother’s blood. Regardless of the source, timely treatment is key. There usually are no severe sequelae, so parents should not worry excessively. After controlling the infection, the white blood cell count will return to normal. It is a normal phenomenon for neonates to have a higher white blood cell count as they adapt to the external environment after birth. If the mother is infected, it may also lead to an increase in the neonate’s white blood cell count. Wishing the baby a swift recovery!