What causes high ESR in children?
Disease description:
Today, my child has a slight cough and a fever. I took the child to the hospital, where the doctor said the child's ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) is high. I would like to know what causes an elevated ESR in children?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in children may be caused by various factors.
1. It could be physiological factors, such as adolescent girls possibly experiencing a mild increase in ESR during menstruation.
2. Infectious diseases are common causes, including bacterial infections, viral infections, and tuberculosis. These conditions can lead to elevated ESR, especially during the acute phase of infection.
3. Non-infectious diseases, such as rheumatic and autoimmune diseases (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis), may also result in increased ESR.
4. Malignant diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma can similarly cause elevated ESR during their acute phases.
When elevated ESR is detected in a child, further investigation is necessary to identify the underlying cause, and appropriate treatment should be implemented based on the specific condition.
