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Human blood lymphocyte subpopulations from birth to eight years
Insights
Total lymphocyte counts and specific immune cell populations (SmIg positive and E-rosetting cells) in children show distinct developmental patterns. These cell numbers change significantly from birth through early childhood, reaching adult levels by age seven.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Hematology
Background:
- Lymphocyte counts and subpopulations are critical indicators of immune system development.
- Understanding age-related changes in immune cells is essential for assessing pediatric health.
- Specific lymphocyte subsets, such as surface immunoglobulin (SmIg) positive and E-rosetting cells, play distinct roles in immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare total lymphocyte counts and the number of SmIg positive and E-rosetting cells in healthy Brazilian children and adults.
- To delineate the developmental trajectory of these lymphocyte populations from birth to eight years of age.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from 103 healthy Brazilian children (birth to 8 years) and 51 healthy adults.
- Total lymphocyte counts were analyzed.
- The proportion and number of surface immunoglobulin (SmIg) positive cells were determined.
- The percentage of E-rosetting cells was quantified.
Main Results:
- Total lymphocytes were high in infancy, decreasing to adult levels by age seven.
- SmIg positive cells peaked in newborns, increasing further in the second trimester, then declining to adult levels by age three.
- E-rosetting cells were low in infancy, increasing after age two to reach adult levels by age seven.
- Absolute numbers of lymphocyte subpopulations mirrored the pattern of total lymphocyte counts.
Conclusions:
- Lymphocyte counts and specific subpopulations exhibit significant age-dependent variations during childhood.
- These findings provide reference values for immune cell development in Brazilian children.
- The data highlight critical windows for immune system maturation from birth through early childhood.
Abstract:
Total lymphocyte counts and the number of SmIg positive and E-rosetting cells in the blood of 103 healthy Brazilian children between birth and eight years and fifty-one healthy adults were compared. A high number of total lymphocytes were observed during the first year of life and decreased thereafter to reach adult values by the age of seven years. The proportion of SmIg positive cells was high in the newborn, further increased during the second trimester and remained unchanged up to the end of the first year of life. Thereafter they gradually decreased reaching adult levels by the age of three years. The percentage of E-rosetting cells was low in the newborn and young children and increased after the second year of life to reach adult levels by the age of seven years. The absolute number of both lymphocyte subpopulations changes with approximately the same pattern as the total lymphocyte counts.