A member asked:

Baby was crying excessively while nurse was trying to get blood. it took 10 minutes to get a vein. can this stress alone cause a wbc of 25, 000?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Dr. Pamela Pappas answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

Too high: Stress can cause some increase in wbc's. I don't know how old your baby is, and typical WBC counts can vary by age. Still, 25, 000 is very high & needs further investigation -- it's too high for stress alone. I'm glad you're getting your baby checked even though it sounds like a scary experience. I hope the doctors find what's wrong, and can help your baby feel better soon.

Answered 6/10/2014

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No: Although as a parent, it is harrowing to see your child be in pain for any period of time, typically that short lived of a period of stress would not cause such an immediate, profound increase in one's WBC count. It sounds like you are plugged in appropriately with a healthcare provider that can investigate the cause with you, of which there are many possibilities.

Answered 6/10/2014

5.2k views

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