Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Does My Lab Test Reports Indicate?
Question: I am currently 39 weeks pregnants just days away from delivery. I had to print out my medical records pertaining to this pregnancy yesterday and something gave me quite a fright. My cbc at around 13 weeks pregnant was as follows:
Wbc: 2.5 verified by rpt analysis X10\S\3/mm
Rbc: 4.10 X10\S\6/mm
Hgb: 12.3 g/dL
Low Hct: 35.9 %
Mcv: 87.6 fL
Mch: 30.0 pg
Mchc: 34.3 g/dL
Rdw: 13.3 %
Plt: 154 X10\S\3/mm
Mpv: 9.6 fL
Lymph%: 49.5 %
Low Neut%: 36.8 %
Ly#: 1.2 K/uL
Gran#: 0.9 K/uL
Mid#: 0.3 K/uL
High Mid%: 13.7 %
My OBGYN never mentioned any of that. CBC was repeated after 2 and 4 months from the initial test, both times wbc and all other values were within normal range. The reason I am concerned about this is that I read that low white blood count is characteristic for viral infections, including Cytomegalovirus (im most probably not immune). I further remebered that only 4 days prior to this test I had a friend visit me with her 2 small kids and the baby drooled on my hand. I dont know if the baby was shedding CMV or not. Obviously CMV is very dangerous in pregnancy but it takes weeks to incubate (?). I am wondering if CMV infection would show up only 4 days later in a CBC.
Also on certain sites it says that CMV infection results in elevated, not reduced WBC count.
What other reasons might there be for such results? I was diagnosed with yest infection at that very visit. Also I had a bad tooth infection approx 2 weeks prior. Otherwise I had no symptoms of an infection, no fever etc. and felt very well. Baby is doing well also per sonograms. However I already convinced myself per these results that it was CMV and am horribly scared.
Wbc: 2.5 verified by rpt analysis X10\S\3/mm
Rbc: 4.10 X10\S\6/mm
Hgb: 12.3 g/dL
Low Hct: 35.9 %
Mcv: 87.6 fL
Mch: 30.0 pg
Mchc: 34.3 g/dL
Rdw: 13.3 %
Plt: 154 X10\S\3/mm
Mpv: 9.6 fL
Lymph%: 49.5 %
Low Neut%: 36.8 %
Ly#: 1.2 K/uL
Gran#: 0.9 K/uL
Mid#: 0.3 K/uL
High Mid%: 13.7 %
My OBGYN never mentioned any of that. CBC was repeated after 2 and 4 months from the initial test, both times wbc and all other values were within normal range. The reason I am concerned about this is that I read that low white blood count is characteristic for viral infections, including Cytomegalovirus (im most probably not immune). I further remebered that only 4 days prior to this test I had a friend visit me with her 2 small kids and the baby drooled on my hand. I dont know if the baby was shedding CMV or not. Obviously CMV is very dangerous in pregnancy but it takes weeks to incubate (?). I am wondering if CMV infection would show up only 4 days later in a CBC.
Also on certain sites it says that CMV infection results in elevated, not reduced WBC count.
What other reasons might there be for such results? I was diagnosed with yest infection at that very visit. Also I had a bad tooth infection approx 2 weeks prior. Otherwise I had no symptoms of an infection, no fever etc. and felt very well. Baby is doing well also per sonograms. However I already convinced myself per these results that it was CMV and am horribly scared.
Brief Answer:
Normal growing baby on sonography rules out CMV infection in baby.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
Yes, you are right that CMV infection can lead to low white blood cell count.
However, normal white blood cell count subsequently rules out anything serious.
As you have mentioned that the growth of baby has been found to be normal in subsequent sonograms, there is nothing to be stressed about.
CMV infection is accompanied by structural abnormalities in the growing fetus.
However, no such abnormality is detected in your baby.
To be doubly sure and to get rid of the doubt you may get CMV Ig M antibody test.
The test is positive in infected individuals and is negative in un-infected individuals.
In addition, viral infections are accompanied by low platelet count, however, your platelets are adequate.
Normal platelet count again rules out any viral infection indirectly.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Normal growing baby on sonography rules out CMV infection in baby.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
Yes, you are right that CMV infection can lead to low white blood cell count.
However, normal white blood cell count subsequently rules out anything serious.
As you have mentioned that the growth of baby has been found to be normal in subsequent sonograms, there is nothing to be stressed about.
CMV infection is accompanied by structural abnormalities in the growing fetus.
However, no such abnormality is detected in your baby.
To be doubly sure and to get rid of the doubt you may get CMV Ig M antibody test.
The test is positive in infected individuals and is negative in un-infected individuals.
In addition, viral infections are accompanied by low platelet count, however, your platelets are adequate.
Normal platelet count again rules out any viral infection indirectly.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Hello,
Actually the platelet count is also low (for me). In my previous and subsequent CBCs it was in the 240-350 range. Also my Lymph count is higher than usual and the Neutr is much lower (39 vs.. 72 on the next CBC)
Is there an innocent explanation for these unusual findings on this single test??? What infections and other factors could possibly have caused it, other than the dreaded CMV?
There is no time for Igg/Igm test as I am having my scheduled C-section on Tuesday.
I read abt CMV and that it can show up only after birth and am scared beyond words.
Thanks for your help.
Actually the platelet count is also low (for me). In my previous and subsequent CBCs it was in the 240-350 range. Also my Lymph count is higher than usual and the Neutr is much lower (39 vs.. 72 on the next CBC)
Is there an innocent explanation for these unusual findings on this single test??? What infections and other factors could possibly have caused it, other than the dreaded CMV?
There is no time for Igg/Igm test as I am having my scheduled C-section on Tuesday.
I read abt CMV and that it can show up only after birth and am scared beyond words.
Thanks for your help.
Brief Answer:
The blood counts are possibly spuriously low. No evidence of CMV infection.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
The platelets are within range. The normal platelet count in an adult is between 1.5 lakh to 4.5 lakh per cubic millimeter.
The lymphocytes have not increased in number. This is just relative lymphocytosis since the total leukocyte count is low.
I am of the opinion that there is some error in estimation of blood counts in first instance since all parameters are low.
There is no symptom to suspect CMV infection.
I think you should move further with your delivery without much stress about CMV or any other viral infection.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
The blood counts are possibly spuriously low. No evidence of CMV infection.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
The platelets are within range. The normal platelet count in an adult is between 1.5 lakh to 4.5 lakh per cubic millimeter.
The lymphocytes have not increased in number. This is just relative lymphocytosis since the total leukocyte count is low.
I am of the opinion that there is some error in estimation of blood counts in first instance since all parameters are low.
There is no symptom to suspect CMV infection.
I think you should move further with your delivery without much stress about CMV or any other viral infection.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
