Elevated blood lymphocytes in children: what you need to know

Lymphocytes are blood cells. They are an integral part of the immune system. An increased percentage of lymphocytes in the blood is called lymphocytosis. This pathology is most often a response to external influences.

Why there are elevated lymphocytes in the blood?

In children, physiological lymphocytosis is observed. So, after the birth of a child, the number of lymphocytes increases and before the 4th day of life is equalized with neutrophils (the first leukocyte cross-over). At the end of the first year of life, the percentage of lymphocytes is maximal and is 65, and the neutrophil count is only 25. At the age of four, the number of these cells again equals. This is the second leukocyte cross-over, after which the number of neutrophils gradually increases, and the lymphocyte count decreases. To puberty, the parameters of the leukocyte formula reach values that are characteristic of adults.

To find out the number of shaped elements, they give a general blood test. Elevated lymphocytes are a reactive response of the body or a sign of severe disorders that require appropriate treatment.

Pathological lymphocytosis

There are a number of diseases that are accompanied by a change in the number of lymphocytes. Among them it is necessary to name the following:

• Infectious diseases, especially rubella, as well as chicken pox or measles;
• Inflammatory processes with chronic course;
• Detect elevated blood lymphocytes in children with infectious mononucleosis or acute lymphocytosis;
• Hyperthyroidism;
• whooping cough.

In addition, there are significantly increased lymphocytes in the blood of children who have been diagnosed with malignant damage to the bone marrow, and are called "lymphocytic leukemia". This disease occurs with the manifestation of weakness, bleeding of the mucous membranes, as well as with the increase in the liver, lymph nodes, spleen, bone tenderness, hemorrhages.

Pathological lymphocytosis is found in the tuberculosis process, infectious allergic diseases (for example, in bronchial asthma), with B12-deficiency anemia or Crohn's disease. Elevated blood lymphocytes in children can occur when they do not eat enough and have signs of alimentary dystrophy.

What do I need to know?

On the basis of a simple blood test, it is impossible to distinguish between reactive lymphocytosis and a violation of cancer nature. If necessary, complex laboratory tests are carried out. Define subpopulations of lymphocytes, detect abnormalities in lymphocyte nuclei, conduct molecular genetic tests, and cytology of the bone marrow.

If the level of lymphocytes is high, do not panic, you should consult a qualified hematologist. To obtain additional diagnostic data, you should determine the state of the immune system, undergo ultrasound, and if necessary - an x-ray examination or computed tomography.

As a rule, lymphocytosis is the result of contact with viral or bacterial infections, so after recovery, the leukocyte formula returns to normal without any direct effect on the number of lymphocytes. When developing tumorous diseases, patients need to consult an oncologist, since lymphocytosis of such an etiology requires correct and prolonged therapy.