Which statement about postpartum WBC elevation is accurate?

Which statement about postpartum WBC elevation is accurate?

• A. WBC can be elevated up to 30,000 in the first 24 hours after birth.
• B. WBC may be within normal range in the first 24 hours postpartum.
• C. WBC cannot exceed 12,000 postpartum.
• D. WBC elevation indicates sepsis in all cases.

Answer: (A)

Postpartum leukocytosis is a normal response to birth. The stress of labor and birth, along with hormonal shifts, causes a rise in white blood cells, especially neutrophils. In the first 24 hours after delivery, WBC can reach markedly high levels—often in the 20,000 to 30,000 per microliter range. This elevation is common even in the absence of infection, so a high WBC by itself does not mean sepsis. Sepsis would involve additional signs such as fever, tachycardia, uterine tenderness, foul lochia, or hypotension. Therefore, the statement that WBC can be elevated up to 30,000 in the first 24 hours postpartum is accurate. The other statements are less accurate because WBC can exceed 12,000 postpartum, and a high WBC postpartum is not diagnostic of infection in all cases, though it can occur with infection as well.

Postpartum leukocytosis is a normal response to birth. The stress of labor and birth, along with hormonal shifts, causes a rise in white blood cells, especially neutrophils. In the first 24 hours after delivery, WBC can reach markedly high levels—often in the 20,000 to 30,000 per microliter range. This elevation is common even in the absence of infection, so a high WBC by itself does not mean sepsis. Sepsis would involve additional signs such as fever, tachycardia, uterine tenderness, foul lochia, or hypotension. Therefore, the statement that WBC can be elevated up to 30,000 in the first 24 hours postpartum is accurate. The other statements are less accurate because WBC can exceed 12,000 postpartum, and a high WBC postpartum is not diagnostic of infection in all cases, though it can occur with infection as well.