Eosinophil Count (whole blood)
| Units | Nonpregnant Adult | 1st Trimester | 2nd Trimester | 3rd Trimester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| x10³/mm³ x10³/µL |
0 – 0.6 | 0 – 0.6 | 0 – 0.6 | 0 – 0.6 |
| x10⁹/L | 0 – 0.6 | 0 – 0.6 | 0 – 0.6 | 0 – 0.6 |
Physiology in Pregnancy
- Eosinophil levels typically remain stable throughout pregnancy.
- Mild decreases may occur due to expanded plasma volume (“hemodilution”).
- Pregnancy does not normally cause eosinophilia.
Causes of Elevated Eosinophils (Eosinophilia)
- Allergic conditions (asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis)
- Atopic disease
- Parasitic infections (strongyloides, hookworm, schistosoma)
- Medication reactions
- Autoimmune disease (e.g., eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis)
- Hypereosinophilic syndromes
- Hematologic malignancy (rare)
Causes of Low Eosinophils (Eosinopenia)
- Acute stress (including labor)
- Glucocorticoid exposure (endogenous or exogenous)
- Severe infection or sepsis
- Cushing syndrome
References
- Abbassi-Ghanavati M, Greer LG, Cunningham FG. Pregnancy and laboratory studies: a reference table for clinicians. Obstet Gynecol. 2009;114:1326–1331. PMID: 19935037.