The child has increased lymphocytes in the blood

Any changes in the child's blood test cause anxiety in the parents, especially if the number of leukocytes changes, because it is known that such cells are representatives of the immune system. If a mother sees an excess of lymphocytes in the test form or hears the word "lymphocytosis" from the doctor, she wants to know what it is, from what such blood cells are increased and whether a high level of lymphocytes is dangerous for the child.

When the lymphocyte count is high

Lymphocytes are a group of leukocytes, the main function of which in the child's body is to participate in immune reactions. TThese cells protect children from viruses and other negative influences. They are produced in the bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes and some other organs, then enter the bloodstream or are stored in the lymphoid tissue, and when their "life" ends, they are destroyed in the tissues of the spleen.

The level of lymphocytes is determined using a clinical blood test, displaying in the leukogram (leukocyte formula) as a percentage of all leukocytes. Although lymphocytes are a group of cells (secrete B lymphocytes, several types of T lymphocytes, and other subpopulations), a CBC does not identify different types of these white blood cells individually.

Newly born babies do not have very many lymphocytes, because their immune system is not yet fully functioning. But already a few days after childbirth, the number of lymphocytes begins to increase and, up to 4 years of age, exceeds the number of other types of leukocytes.

At about 4-5 years of age, the level of lymphocytes and neutrophils becomes the same, after which the number of neutrophils begins to prevail.

The upper limit of the norm of lymphocytes in children is considered:

If the test result showed an increased number of lymphocytes, exceeding the indicated numbers, this is called lymphocytosis... It is relative if the number of lymphocytes does not exceed the norm, but only seems to be overestimated due to a decrease in the level of other leukocytes. In this case, the total number of leukocytes may remain normal or be increased.

Also found absolute lymphocytosiscaused by an excessive number of lymphocytes in the peripheral circulation due to their active formation in the bone marrow and other places or insufficient destruction in the spleen.

Causes of lymphocytosis

Most often, lymphocytosis is a sign of a disease, because an increased number of such white blood cells is needed to combat an infectious agent or other negative effect on the child's body.

Diseases due to which lymphocytes are overestimated in the blood of children include:

ARVI.
Viral hepatitis.
Measles.
Adenovirus infection.
Chickenpox.
Rubella.
Flu.
Herpes infection.
Toxoplasmosis.
Infection with HIV.
Infectious mononucleosis.
Enterovirus infection.
Whooping cough.
Infection with cytomegalovirus.
Brucellosis.
Infection with parasites or protozoa.
Tuberculosis.
Leukemia, which can be both acute and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Malignant thymoma.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Smith's disease is a rare infectious disease with lymphocytosis.
Franklin's disease. This is the name of another rare pathology in which lymphoid tissue grows and the production of immunoglobulins increases.

However, a high percentage of lymphocytes is not always associated with a viral infection or tumor process. If the lymphocytosis is relative, the cause of this blood test result is factors that reduce the number of other types of white blood cells, for example, neutropenia due to vitamin B12 deficiency or the use of certain drugs that suppress neutrophils.

Also, non-infectious causes of lymphocytosis include:

Poisoning with arsenic or lead, as well as carbon disulfide or tetrachloroethane.
Autoimmune diseases.
Hyperthyroidism.
Bronchial asthma.
Avitaminosis.
Removal of the spleen, as a result of which blood cells cannot be disposed of in the required volume.
The action of some drugs - medicines for epilepsy, hormonal drugs, antibiotics, narcotic analgesics and others.

Separately, it should be noted that after recovery, the level of lymphocytes does not immediately return to normal levels. In most children, for several weeks, and sometimes months, after the disease has ended, lymphocytes will be detected in an increased amount, but their level will gradually decrease.

Komarovsky's opinion

A well-known pediatrician considers the determination of a leukogram in a sick child to be an important analysis to find out what kind of infection a small patient has. In his practice, Komarovsky has repeatedly encountered lymphocytosis and confirms that The most common cause of an increase in the percentage of such blood cells in childhood is a viral infection.

We advise you to watch the recording of Dr. Komarovsky's program, which details the topic of the clinical analysis of the blood of babies:

Symptoms

If lymphocytosis is provoked by a viral infection, the child's general condition worsens, weakness, fever, and shortness of breath appear. The child eats worse, sleep disturbances are possible, as well as the appearance of a rash. In infants, the symptoms may be mild and limited only to capricious behavior, crying and fever.

Some children with lymphocytosis have enlarged lymph nodes. The spleen or liver may also enlarge, because with an increase in the number of blood cells, the load on these organs increases.

What to do

Having identified an excess of the level of lymphocytes in a child, you should consult a doctor with the baby. The doctor will assess the general condition of the little patient and his age, take into account the existing complaints, recent illnesses, the use of drugs, as well as other indicators of the blood test. For example, certain symptoms, leukocytosis and increased ESR will tell the pediatrician about the presence of an active viral disease.

If the child has increased not only lymphocytes, but also monocytes, this will lead the doctor to think about a chronic viral infection. Also, with a protracted infectious process, children are sent for analysis that determines activated B cells. If the activated lymphocytes in the child's blood test exceed the normal value, this may be a sign of an autoimmune process.
How to determine the type of infection using indicators of the level of lymphocytes, see the video of the program of E. Komarovsky:

Severe leukocytosis with a high percentage of lymphocytes will be the reason for a more detailed examination of the child's immune system. In order to find out whether lymphocytosis is reactive in a child (this is the name for an increase in lymphocytes due to a viral infection) or tumor (it is also called malignant), the level of T and B lymphocytes is determined separately. If necessary, a bone marrow examination is scheduled.

Treatment

After learning why the child has lymphocytosis, the doctor will prescribe an appropriate therapy. In many cases, such a change in the cellular composition of the blood simply indicates an active resistance of the child's immune system to an infectious disease.... And therefore, no drugs that reduce the number of lymphocytes are required.

The child is provided with a proper sleep regimen, sufficient rest, walks in the fresh air, and adequate nutrition. This contributes to a quick recovery and normalization of well-being, supports the baby's immunity and helps to normalize the number of lymphocytes in his blood.

Among the medicines, according to indications, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and other drugs are used, and if a complication in the form of a bacterial infection is added, the child has to be given antibiotics.

If lymphocytosis turned out to be a sign of a tumor process, the doctor's tactics will be determined by the form of the neoplasm, its prevalence and activity. Such children are advised to rest in bed and limit contact with other people. Most often, they are prescribed chemotherapy, and in some cases, bone marrow transplantation.