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 are there elevated lymphocytes in the blood?
In children, physiological lymphocytosis is observed. So, after the birth of a child, the number of lymphocytes increases and until the 4th day of life is equalized with neutrophils (the first leukocyte cross). At the end of the first year of life, the maximum percentage of lymphocytes is 65, and neutrophils are only 25. At the age of four, the number of these cells is equalized again. This is the second leukocyte cross, after which the number of neutrophils is gradually increasing, and the number of lymphocytes is decreasing. By puberty,
leukocyte counts reach values that are characteristic of adults.
To find out the number of shaped elements, a general blood test is taken. 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, the following should be mentioned:
- infectious pathologies, especially rubella, as well as chickenpox or measles;
- inflammatory processes with a chronic course;
- elevated blood lymphocytes in children with infectious mononucleosis or acute lymphocytosis are detected;
- hyperthyroidism;
- whooping cough.
In addition, significantly increased blood lymphocytes are observed in children who are diagnosed with malignant bone marrow damage and are called "lymphocytic leukemia". This disease occurs with the manifestation of weakness, bleeding of the mucous membranes, as well as with an increase in the liver, lymph nodes, spleen, bone soreness, hemorrhage.
Pathological lymphocytosis is found in the tuberculosis process, infectious and allergic diseases (for example, with bronchial asthma), in the presence of B12-deficient anemia or Crohn's disease. Elevated blood lymphocytes in children occur when they are not fed enough and have signs of nutritional dystrophy.
What do you need to know?
Based on a simple blood test, it is impossible to distinguish reactive lymphocytosis and violations of the cancerous nature. If necessary, complex laboratory tests are carried out. Subpopulations of lymphocytes are determined, abnormalities in the lymphocytic nuclei are detected, molecular genetic tests are carried out, and a bone marrow cytological examination is performed.
If the level of lymphocytes is high, do not panic, you should contact a qualified hematologist. To obtain additional diagnostic data, it is necessary to determine the state of the immune system, undergo an ultrasound scan, and, if necessary, an X-ray examination or computed tomography.
As a rule, lymphocytosis is the result of contact with viral or bacterial infections, therefore, after recovery, the leukocyte formula returns to normal without any direct effect on the number of lymphocytes. With the development of tumor diseases, patients need to consult an oncologist, since lymphocytosis of this etiology requires correct and lengthy therapy.