Reference Ranges of Different Lymphocyte Subsets in Indian Children: A Multi-Centric Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric immunology
• Hematology
• Clinical pathology

Background:

• Accurate reference ranges for lymphocyte subsets are crucial for diagnosing pediatric immune disorders.
• Existing data for Indian children is limited, necessitating region-specific studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish comprehensive reference ranges for lymphocyte subsets in healthy Indian children.
• To analyze age- and gender-related variations in these immune cell populations.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted across four geographical regions in India.
• 1104 healthy children, from neonates to 18 years, were enrolled.
• Multicolor flow cytometry was used to measure absolute counts and percentages of T, B, and NK lymphocytes.

Main Results:

• Lymphocyte counts increased from birth to 10 months, then declined until 18 years, while proportions remained stable.
• No significant gender-based differences were observed.
• Geographical location influenced lymphocyte subset counts.

Conclusions:

• The established reference ranges will aid in monitoring and predicting immune status in Indian pediatric populations.
• Regional variations highlight the need for geographically specific reference values.
• Further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to confirm regional differences.