Leukocyte counts may reach 5000 to 12000 in the third trimester.

Leukocyte counts may reach 5000 to 12000 in the third trimester.

• A. 5000 to 12000
• B. 20000 to 30000
• C. 1000 to 5000
• D. 40000 to 50000

Answer: (A)

Leukocyte counts naturally rise during pregnancy due to physiological changes in the immune system, with higher values commonly seen in the late gestation period. In the third trimester, a WBC count around 12,000 per microliter is typical, reflecting this leukocytosis, and values can be within roughly the 5,000–12,000 range without signaling a problem. Choosing this range aligns with the expected physiologic increase in pregnancy. Higher ranges, like 20,000–30,000 or more, would suggest infection or another stress response, while very low counts (1,000–5,000) would indicate leukopenia, and extremely high counts (40,000–50,000) would raise concern for more serious pathology.

Leukocyte counts naturally rise during pregnancy due to physiological changes in the immune system, with higher values commonly seen in the late gestation period. In the third trimester, a WBC count around 12,000 per microliter is typical, reflecting this leukocytosis, and values can be within roughly the 5,000–12,000 range without signaling a problem. Choosing this range aligns with the expected physiologic increase in pregnancy. Higher ranges, like 20,000–30,000 or more, would suggest infection or another stress response, while very low counts (1,000–5,000) would indicate leukopenia, and extremely high counts (40,000–50,000) would raise concern for more serious pathology.