Pediatric white blood cell disorders

Diagnosis

To diagnose your child's condition, doctors may perform the following:

• Blood tests. If your child's white blood cell count is abnormal, a Mayo Clinic pediatric hematologist will work closely with lab specialists and others to determine the type of white blood cell disorder and the cause.
• Bone marrow biopsy. Doctors insert a thin needle into the bone to collect a tissue sample and then examine the cells under a microscope.
• Additional tests. More tests, such as imaging and others, may be needed for proper diagnosis. In tests that involve radiation, specialists carefully monitor doses to avoid the risk of radiation overexposure.