Expert: Neha Dahiya MD - 7/10/2009

Question
Hi,

I have a 22-month old granddaughter with an 8-month history of unexplained fevers; 2 months of hives and rashes.  Has a VERY preliminary diagnosis of Autoinflammatory Disease or JIA.

Recently had blood work done (during a well period).  Most of the numbers were in the normal range, but her Lymph % is 65, Neut% is 25; absolute lymph # is 7.2 and neut # is 2.8 (which is in normal range, I think).  Sedimentation rate is 4.

When I googled it, the articles mention some type of viral infection or cancer - NOT JIA or autoinflammatory disease.

Time to panic?

Thanks.

Answer
Hello BT:

Please do not panic the CBC results are within normal range. The numbers do not suggest cancer.

Moreover, cancer of blood (leukemia) is diagnosed based on morphology the appearance of cells and not based on the count of cells.

Your granddaughter would require further evaluation and more tests to arrive at a final diagnosis.