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Neutrophil response to mucosal infection
A D Phillips1, A R Shah, J A Walker-Smith
1Department of Electron Microscopy, Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children, London.
Journal of Medical Microbiology
|May 1, 1992
Summary
Neutropenia, or low white blood cell count, is common in pediatric viral infections like gastroenteritis and respiratory infections. This transient condition was not observed in bacterial infections or cow
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
Background:
- White cell counts are crucial in diagnosing pediatric infections.
- Neutrophilia is common in various pediatric conditions, but neutropenia patterns require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of neutropenia in pediatric patients across different gastrointestinal and respiratory conditions.
- To compare white cell count patterns in viral gastroenteritis, bacterial gastroenteritis, delayed recovery, viral lower respiratory tract infections, and cow's milk protein intolerance.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of total white cell counts in pediatric in-patients.
- Comparison of neutrophilia and neutropenia prevalence across five distinct clinical groups.
Main Results:
- Neutrophilia prevalence did not differ significantly among the five groups.
- Neutropenia was significantly more common in patients with viral infections (gastroenteritis, lower respiratory tract infections) compared to bacterial gastroenteritis and cow's milk protein intolerance.
- Neutropenia, previously unreported in viral gastroenteritis, was transient and unrelated to patient demographics or antibiotic treatment.
Conclusions:
- Neutropenia is a notable finding in pediatric viral infections, distinct from bacterial infections.
- The transient nature of neutropenia in viral gastroenteritis warrants consideration in differential diagnosis.
- Further research into the mechanisms and clinical implications of neutropenia in pediatric viral infections is recommended.