What causes raise in ESR levels in a baby?
Patient: Hi doc, my name is bobin, and i have a 2 months old baby girl who is having high ESR level, 140 as per lab results...She is having inflammation on her cheek and swelling was also there which has decreased now...When consulted with our pediatrician she said some infection was there and recommended for taking advent injection 150 mg for seven days to reduce ESR levels...My baby is active, she is feeding well and all other sensations are normal.. Kindly advise why ESR levels gets raised in a 2 month old baby? Doctor: Hi Bobin,Welcome to Hcm,ESR is an inflammatory marker like crp which you must have heard.So any infection or inflammation meaning swelling can result in high ESR.As your pediatrician rightly did in your child by advicing antibiotic to reduce infection and to check for lowering of ESR.Other common reasons are if there is any tuberculosis, ESR can be high but that needs a strong suspicion to evaluate if there is a strong exposure history to someone with TB. However I think the best thing is what you have been asked to do and I hope there is no other reason in your child.So continue what you are doing now. Hope for the best. Take care.