People who are far from medicine, when they become parents and face the first problems with their baby's health, often ask themselves how they can independently analyze the results of the tests themselves without the help of physicians. A little deeper into any medical encyclopedia, the necessary information can be found. True, in a language not always understood by a simple person. Let's try to understand the results of a blood test using the example of monocytes.
So, monocytes are blood cells, one of the varieties of leukocytes - the main defenders of our immune system. In comparison with other cells, which also belong to leukocytes, monocytes are the largest and most active in size.
Monocytes form in the bone marrow, and after maturation they enter the circulatory system, where they stay for about three days, then they fall directly into the tissues of the body, into the spleen, lymph nodes, liver, bone marrow. Here they are transformed into macrophages - cells that are close to monocytes by their function.
They perform an original function of wipers in the body, absorbing dead cells, pathogenic microorganisms, promote blood clots resorption and prevent tumors from developing. Monocytes can destroy pathogens that are much larger than their own size. But monocytes show the greatest activity when they are still immature in the circulatory system.
Monocytes are an integral part of blood, both adults and children. They perform various functions in the child's body. Monocytes are involved in the production of blood, protect against various neoplasms, the first to stand up against the viruses, microbes, various parasites.
The norm of monocytes in children
The norm of monocytes in children differs from the norm for an adult and is not a constant, but depends directly on the age of the child. Thus, at the time of birth, the norm ranges from 3% to 12%, up to a year from 4% to 10%, from one year to fifteen years, ranging from 3% to 9%. In an adult, the number of monocytes should not exceed 8%, but not less than 1%.
If the level of monocytes in the blood of a child is lowered or vice versa, then it is necessary to conduct a survey to find out the reasons for the deviation of that norm.
The increase in monocytes in children is called monocytosis. It occurs, as a rule, during an infectious disease. And it can also be a manifestation of brucellosis, toxoplasmosis, mononucleosis, tuberculosis, fungal diseases.
Rarely high monocytes in a child can be the result of malignant neoplasms in the lymphatic system. In most cases, their level is great and after the infection.
Monocytosis can be relative - when the percentage of monocytes is higher than normal, but in general the number of white blood cells remains normal. The reason is the decrease in the number of other types of leukocytes. Absolute monocytosis can occur when the number of cells of phagocytes and macrophages is increased.
Reduced monocytes in the blood in a child are called monocytopenia, and, as with monocytosis, depend directly on the child's age. The causes leading to a decrease in monocytes may be as follows:
- bone marrow disease due to chemotherapy;
- after surgical operations;
- a general decrease in all blood cells due to various blood diseases, such as aplastic anemia, typhoid fever;
- long-term use of hormones;
- general exhaustion of the body;
- with purulent processes in the body.
If your child has lowered or elevated monocytes in the blood, you need to undergo an additional in-depth examination to find out the cause.