Among all the types of tests that can be assigned to children, the analysis for immunoglobulin should be given special attention. But it is about this research that parents usually have the most questions.
In this article we will tell you what an IgE test is, what it shows, how it is taken and how to decipher the results.
What it is?
In the body of a sick child, a lot of invisible processes take place, which can only be guessed with the help of laboratory diagnostics. This is how the quantitative content of type E immunoglobulin is determined - a substance that is produced in an extremely small amount in a healthy child.
Immunoglobulins E (Ig E) are antibodies of a protein nature. Plasma cells produce them in response to a danger to the body. They are located on the mucous membranes of internal organs, which "on duty" have contact with the environment. These include spleen tissue, tonsil lymphoid tissue, Peyer's lymphoid patches in the small intestine, and the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
If we compare the amount of such antibodies with other antibodies in the child's body, then immunoglobulin is one of the smallest: in the composition of immune cells that guard the health of the baby, it is presented in an amount equal to only 0.001% of the total. In the blood, or rather in its serum, protein E antibodies can live up to 3 days. For the first time in a child, they begin to be produced even when the mother wears it under her heart - at about 11-12 weeks of pregnancy.
Why are immunoglobulins E amazing and unique? And the fact that they have the ability to settle and adhere tightly to the membrane of basophils and mast cells. In this case, protein "guards" survive not three days, but almost two weeks.
There are two types of type E protein immunoglobulins - general IgE and specific.
If a child has a sudden runny nose and the doctor suspects an allergy may be the cause, he first checks the total IgE level. And if it is necessary to establish which substance the child's body gave such a negative reaction to, specific immunoglobulins E.
The tasks of these antibodies, like others, are quite simple and straightforward - to destroy an alien invasion at any cost. Type E antibodies are part of the "rapid response squad" - they participate in the first type of lightning reaction. Sometimes it is mistakenly called anti-allergic, but it is not. It is because of the contact of IgE with a foreign antigen that an allergic reaction occurs. At the same time, it is quite clear where exactly the contact occurs - with a cold, the fight goes on in the mucous membrane of the nasal passages, with bronchitis of allergic origin - in the mucous membrane of the bronchi, etc.
A special blood test determines the level of immunoglobulin E.
How is the analysis carried out and what does it show?
If a child is recommended to have an IgE blood test, then a little preliminary preparation is required. It is advisable to donate blood on an empty stomach and in the morning, a newborn can be given a breast 2.5-3 hours before the analysis, a baby - 4 hours, the rest of the children are allowed to eat for the last time the night before.
Two days before delivery, you should limit fatty, smoked, salty.
It is important that the child does not overexert himself, remains calm, because stress on the eve of blood sampling can negatively affect its biochemical composition. They take venous blood, and then the parents will have to be present with the baby so that he gives a small injection.
The analysis is carried out using an immunoassay system in a clinical laboratory. Recently, almost all laboratories are equipped with Immulit 1000 or 2000 analyzers. Such devices provide detailed information even about the content of specific immunoglobulins of type E in ultra-small quantities, which makes it possible to detect allergic reactions at the earliest stages.
What does this analysis show in children? In fact, their ability to repel the attacks of antigens from the external environment. If you already have an allergy, then the analysis will help to answer the question of what and to what extent negative reactions occur. This will help you choose the right tactics for treating your child. Also, the analysis is recommended in other situations.
The indications for the appointment of such a survey are quite wide:
- Tissue or organ transplantation is planned;
- treatment for cancer is planned;
- received a course of treatment with immunosuppressive drugs (suppressors);
- the child had a large blood loss;
- viral and bacterial infections;
- various pathologies of the thyroid gland;
- the child has a positive HIV status;
- the doctor has suspicions of systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and other serious diseases;
- allergy;
- protracted and progressive pneumonia, several episodes of pneumonia in the last 2 years;
- lingering and intractable fungal infections;
- pyoderma and other pustular skin diseases.
Normal values
When a foreign antigen enters the child's body for the first time, the IgE protein binds to it. It turns out a complex that triggers the production of protective cells in the body, aimed exclusively at a specific antigen. But in children, immunity is weak and imperfect, and therefore an excessive reaction to antigens is not at all uncommon. If the antigen gets in again, the development of allergies is not excluded.
In the course of life, a person's immunity "learns", and the amount of type E immunoglobulins gradually increases. The IgE rate in children depends on age. Basic values and indicators for a healthy child are presented in this table:
Normative values of immunoglobulin E in children
The decryption should be done by a healthcare professional. It will be difficult for parents to take into account some of the nuances on their own, for example, the features of the equipment of some laboratories, which give results not in IU / ml, but in ng / ml.
If you still really want to calculate everything yourself, then use our instructions. Having received the results of the analysis in ng / ml, before checking the table and answering the question whether the child's indicators are normal, Multiply the indicated numbers in ng / ml by a factor of 0.42. In other words, 1164 ng / ml is 489 IU / ml, etc.
Increased values
If the serum immunoglobulin E in the child's blood is high, this almost always indicates the development of an allergic reaction. The stronger the allergy, the more the IgE will be increased. Allergy common in childhood is the main reason for an increase in the level of immunoglobulin type E. An overestimated level of the amount of these antibodies may indicate the presence of food allergies, hay fever, allergic rhinitis, atopic bronchial asthma or atopic dermatitis in infants, the analysis may show an allergy to medications, to household chemicals etc.
True, in order to establish the exact antigen, sometimes additional research is required, for example, allergy tests.
If there are no signs of allergy, and type E immunoglobulin is overestimated, then the doctor will certainly inquire if parasites - helminthic invasions - have settled in the baby's intestines. These antibodies react with rapid growth to them. Also, high IgE sometimes means the presence of myeloma, immune pathologies, and also some types of tumors.
Each specific situation should be considered by doctors, additional examinations will be prescribed, which will show the true cause of the increase in immunoglobulins E in the blood serum.
To reduce these values, you need to start treating the underlying disease. Since allergies are the most common cause, parents should create an allergen-free space for their child. He should not come into contact not only with what caused the inadequate reaction of his body, but also with other potentially dangerous allergens. It is usually recommended to declare a war on house dust, pet hair, adjust baby food - eliminate all highly allergenic foods from the diet.
Antihistamines prescribed by the doctor will help to remove sensitization; in some cases, the use of hormonal agents is indicated if the allergy is severe.
Mom and dad will need to pay special attention to strengthening children's immunity - as it stabilizes, there will be no excessive reactions and high production of immunoglobulins E and other antibodies, which will reduce the manifestations of allergies to a minimum or avoid completely.
This requires walks in the fresh air, tempering, sports, normal healthy adequate sleep, nutrition rich in vitamins and minerals.
Reduced values
Reduced indicators of immunoglobulin E in children is a completely normal situation, which is easy to be convinced of, just by looking again at the table of standard values. But still, a significant lag from the norm can be an alarming sign: this is how some congenital pathologies of the immune system manifest themselves, sometimes inherited from parents with genetic information. It is important to know that such conditions are rare, but it is desirable to carry out the diagnosis before the age of three.
If at 2 years of age the level of these antibodies in a child is about 0 or 2-3 IU / ml, then you definitely need to visit an immunologist.
Low immunoglobulin E may be due to a congenital abnormality of blood cells - type T lymphocytes, in which case the production of IgE is insufficient. If the level is lowered, this may also be associated with a decrease in the size of antibodies due to a deficiency of B-lymphocytes (hypogammaglobulinemia). The presence of malignant tumor processes in the body in a child also gives a picture of a decrease in IgE during laboratory diagnostics.
It should be noted that all these states in one way or another manifest themselves at the physical level. If there are abnormalities in T-cells, children usually lag significantly behind their peers in development, may suffer from discoordination of movements. Children with a deficiency of B lymphocytes often get sick for a long time, even a simple viral infection almost always gives them serious complications that are difficult to treat.
Conclusions and feedback
Mothers of children with allergies with experience are usually well-versed in the values of the analysis for immunoglobulin E, they easily operate with numbers and know what observation in dynamics means. It is much more difficult to figure it out for parents who first encountered childhood allergies or did an analysis for other indications.
In any case, you do not need to worry, because no one will make diagnoses based on this study, additional diagnostics will be required. As for allergies, with age it passes in most children, "outgrows", and the IgE tests showed that they are in full compliance with the norms.
You will learn more about the index of immunoglobulin E in the next video.
