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Frequently ill children

Tatiana Markova1, Denis Chuvirov

  • 1Federal Educational Establishment Advanced Study Institute, FMBA, Moscow, Russia. markova@immune.umos.ru

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|August 24, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Frequently ill children exhibit diverse immune system disorders, including low T cells and high IgE, often linked to chronic infections and delayed immune development. These immune dysfunctions vary with age and infection history.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Background:

  • Frequently ill children (FIC) often experience recurrent infections, gut dysbiosis, and allergic conditions.
  • Immune system disorders in FIC are complex and influenced by factors like age and chronic infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the heterogeneous nature of immune system disorders in frequently ill children (FIC) aged 2-15 years.
  • To correlate immune system abnormalities with acute respiratory disease (ARD) frequency and chronic infection foci.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of immune parameters including T cell counts, serum IgG/IgA, salivary IgA, IFN-alpha/gamma synthesis, and total IgE levels.
  • Comparison of immune profiles between FIC with high ARD frequency/chronic infections and children with less frequent ARD.
  • Assessment of antibody response to hepatitis B vaccination in FIC.

Main Results:

  • FIC with frequent ARD (6-15 times/year) and chronic infections showed significant immune dysregulation: 20-50% had low T cells, 70% high activated T cells, 94% low salivary IgA, and 80% low IFN-alpha synthesis.
  • A substantial percentage of FIC (50%) exhibited high total IgE and allergic sensitization.
  • Compared to FIC, children with less frequent ARD (4-6 times/year) had fewer immune abnormalities.

Conclusions:

  • Immune system disorders in FIC are polymorphic, involving both innate and adaptive immunity, and are often associated with delayed immune development.
  • Chronic infection foci act as an aggravating factor, exacerbating immune dysfunctions in frequently ill children.
  • Understanding these immune profiles is crucial for managing recurrent infections and allergic diseases in pediatric populations.

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