The child has lymphocytes

Lymphocytes are white blood cells. This is a kind of leukocytes. They are considered an important component of the immune system, because their function is to fight infections and viruses. If a child has lowered lymphocytes, then this indicates an abnormality in the functioning of the body. Their level can be learned from a common blood test. But it is important to understand that for normal children and adults, normal performance varies. Therefore, evaluate the results of the study should a doctor who can take into account age norms.

The reasons why the child can be reduced lymphocytes

The decrease in the number of these blood cells is called lymphopenia. This condition can be congenital, for example, with hereditary diseases in which the immune system is affected. But more often doctors allocate the acquired form. It develops if the body lacks protein. This condition can arise due to AIDS, autoimmune diseases.

Allocate relative lymphopenia, and also absolute. In the first case, lymphocytes in the blood of a child can be lowered due to chronic or acute diseases that lead to an accelerated death of these blood cells. This condition can be caused by inflammatory processes, pneumonia.

Absolute lymphopenia is the result of immunodeficiencies. It can manifest in children who suffer from leukemia, leukocytosis, severe liver disease, with chemotherapy.

Lymphocytes in the blood of a child can be lowered due to stress, intestinal obstruction. Also lead to a low level of this variety of leukocytes can long-term treatment with hormonal means.

Lymphopenia does not have precise external symptoms. Confidently, the doctor can determine this condition only on the basis of blood tests. But it is possible to identify some external signs that accompany this state:

• the baby may have ulcers in the mouth;
• sometimes the skin becomes yellow or becomes excessively pale;
• may be a decrease in lymph nodes, tonsils;
• with a lower content of lymphocytes in the blood, the child has significantly more respiratory diseases;
• and the skin can appear eczema, pyoderma.

If the lymphocytes are lowered in the blood test of a child, what does it mean, the specialist should explain. Parents should not try to diagnose the baby themselves. After all, lymphopenia has many causes. In addition, a person without a medical education can misinterpret the results of the study.