Whatever disease we have, the first thing we are forced to do in the hospital is to have a complete blood count. This research method is very simple, most accessible and informative. Children are prescribed it from birth. In order to get an accurate result, it is better to take tests in the morning, on an empty stomach. Water intake is allowed. There are situations when it is necessary to donate blood more than once a day. In this case, eating is quite acceptable. As for young children, blood sampling is carried out 1.5 to 2 hours after the last meal.
Indications for a clinical blood test
Blood donate:
- in order to assess the general condition of the patient;
- examination of healthy children for prophylaxis once a year;
- examination of children with chronic diseases several times a year;
- in case of complaints in children;
- a long course of the disease;
- complications during illness
Clinical blood test
Blood sampling for this study is done mainly from the fingers. But sometimes blood is taken from the toes, and in newborns, even from the heel. The blood contains red and white blood cells. The first includes hemoglobin, platelets, red blood cells, and the number of the second determines how many white blood cells are in the blood. There are several types of white blood cells: plasma, monocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils and neutrophils.
Lymphocytes and their functions
As mentioned above, lymphocytes are white blood cells. These are the main cellular elements of the entire immune system of the body. They are formed in the human bone marrow, and in an embryo they nucleate in stem cells and in the liver. These cells are the main strength of the body.
They fight against harmful bacteria and viruses and immediately recognize a foreign body in the body. That is why it is very important to know the level of lymphocytes in the blood, the norm of which at different ages is different. When the number of white blood cells is reduced, this is a possible sign of health problems. They also produce antibodies that resist various infections. The table below indicates the number of lymphocytes according to age. Such indicators are clearly defined. There is a specific leukocyte formula - the ratio of lymphocytes and other leukocytes. In accordance with it, lymphocytes make up 20-35% in human blood.
Lymphocytes lowered
After a general analysis, lymphocytes in children can be examined. The norm and the real indicator do not always coincide. If it is lower than established, then this indicates acute or chronic lymphopenia. It can be transmitted to the child from the mother or occur as a result of congenital diseases that are associated with the immune system. It may also indicate an existing hereditary disease. Usually this disease is acquired. It is associated with an insufficient amount of protein in food. AIDS can also be the cause. It destroys T cells that have been affected. Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and enteropathy, lead to protein loss.
Lymphocytes in children, normal - Table| Age | % Indicator |
| 1 year | fifty |
| 3 years | 49 |
| 5 years | 43 |
| 10 years | 39 |
| 17 years | 26-35 |
Types of Lymphopenia
It has already been said above what white blood cells are and what is their norm. Lymphocytes in the blood of a child are below this indicator and usually this indicates an abnormal development of the lymphoid system. Another reason is chronic and infectious diseases. There is absolute lymphopenia. It is characteristic of diseases associated with the immune system. It can occur due to leukemia, neutrophilia, leukocytosis and as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation. This form can also develop in the presence of chronic liver disease. It can appear even in newborns. Such a disease can be diagnosed in the first week. In this case, the risk of death is very high.
Symptoms of the disease
It is possible to say that the lymphocytes in children (the norm of which depends on age) are reduced after a morphological study. If such a violation is found, the doctor will prescribe a specific treatment. Typically, lymphopenia is asymptomatic. But some signs may indicate it. For example, a decrease in lymph nodes or tonsils. Sometimes their complete absence is also possible. Symptoms include pyoderma, eczema, and alopecia. Hematologic diseases such as petechiae, jaundice and pallor should also be mentioned. It is especially important to pay attention to signs that indicate HIV infection. If the lymphocytes in the blood of a child are lowered, then he often has infections that are caused by very rare microorganisms. In order to assess immunodeficiency, it is necessary to carefully examine the patient.
Treating children
As soon as lymphocytes in children are examined (their norm is indicated in the table above), and the disease is detected, it is necessary to find and eliminate the factor that provokes it. If the patient has a deficiency of lgG, then, as a rule, he is prescribed an immunoglobulin intravenously. Hematopoietic stem cells can be successfully transported to those patients who have congenital immunodeficiency.
Lymphocytes Above Normal
Quite often, children are prescribed a general blood test. Lymphocytes, the rate of which depends on age, may be elevated. One of the most common causes is that the body is fighting infection. Quite often, this phenomenon is observed in babies who have suffered an infectious disease. This phenomenon should not bother their parents. However required
o You must consult your doctor to avoid the presence of diseases such as lymphosarcoma or asthma. There are other diseases that contribute to an
increase in white blood
cells in the blood. Among them are whooping cough, lymphocytic leukemia, various types of hepatitis, tuberculosis and measles.
Distinctive feature of lymphocytes
The main thing that these white blood cells differ from the rest of the white blood cells is that they are able to simply pass into various tissues of the body and then also just go back. They are a kind of "censorship" in our body. Their specificity is that they oversee the entire immune system and are very capable of responding to a foreign body. Ordinary white blood cells live only a few days, and a lymphocyte is able to live for more than two decades. Its individual cells are able to live in a person until his death. Their blood contains an average of 30%. The main elements that carry out immune surveillance are lymphocytes in children. Their norm is 1 μl (5) 19–37 (1,200–3,000). All of them are divided into 3 groups that carry out their own functions. These are T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes and zero lymphocytes.
Thus, we see that lymphocytes are white blood cells that are very important in the human body. It is especially necessary to carefully treat those indicators that are below the norm or exceed it. This may be evidence of a fairly serious illness. Therefore, it is necessary to take tests annually and, if necessary, immediately try to eliminate the cause. In this case, a positive outcome is possible. Try to be attentive to your health and your children!