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The study of the analysis of blood cells in a child is a necessary diagnostic process. The altered number of representatives of the leukocyte series causes anxiety of the pediatrician, requires a more complete study, additional examination. Monocytes in a child play the same role in the body as in an adult.

They provide protection against the effects of an aggressive environment, microorganisms. Fluctuations in the blood levels of these cells in children are a serious diagnostic sign.

Structure and function

Monocytes differ from other types of leukocytes in their large size and bean-shaped nucleus. The protoplasm of cells contains lysosomes - special granules with potent enzymes.

The ability of children to self-defense depends on the normal production of monocytes in the bone marrow and the completeness of maturation to the degree of macrophages. The level of cells is associated with frequent colds, impaired absorption of food in the intestines, it ensures the physical development of the child.

Monocytes in the blood of a child provide the following functions:

• upon a signal, they move to the focus of the introduction of a microorganism or a harmful chemical;
• surround it with their protoplasm, pull it inward and completely dissolve it;
• "Clean up" the site of attack from dead leukocytes, tissue decay products;
• collect and transmit information about the "enemy" encountered to young cells;
• "Work" in the blood and tissues.

How many monocytes should a child have?

To characterize the content of monocytes, quantitative indicators of counting cells in a smear are used, recalculated per liter of blood. The rate is called the absolute value (abs.).

For children, an indicator is adopted from 0.05 to 1.1 x 10 9 / l.

The absolute value of monocytes is insufficient for diagnosis. The study of their share in the leukocyte composition (formula) is carried out.

This indicator changes, depending on the age of the child, towards a decrease in the upper level of the norm:

• immediately after birth - from 3 to 12%;
• up to 14 days - from 5 to 15%;
• up to a year - from 4 to 10%;
• over a year is already equal to adult standards - from 3 to 9%.

Why is the level going down

Given the low lower limit of the norm, a decrease (monocytopenia) in children can be thought of when the level is equal to zero or 1–2%. Any reasons are associated with suppression of immunity, it is this main function that suffers in the first place.

Monocytes in a child are lowered when:

• exhaustion;
• anemia associated with vitamin B 12 deficiency;
• after undergoing surgery;
• with acute infectious diseases;
• during treatment with hormonal drugs;
• suppuration of wounds, boils;
• severe shock condition;
• treatment of cancer with chemotherapy and radiation exposure;
• injuries;
• transferred stress reactions.

When monocytes rise

The reasons for the increase in the level of monocytes (monocytosis) above 9% may be due to a normal protective reaction to the introduction of infection or their hyperproduction due to disruption of the bone marrow in blood diseases.

The percentage is determined by the relative monocytosis. It is possible with a sharp decrease in other types of leukocytes. Therefore, in such cases, the calculation of absolute numbers is important. Exceeding the limit of 1.1 x 10 9 / l is attributed to blood monocytosis.

Monocytosis is detected when the temperature rises

The indicator is used in the diagnosis of such infectious diseases:

• malaria,
• rheumatism,
• systemic lupus erythematosus,
• Infectious mononucleosis,
• toxoplasmosis,
• brucellosis,
• syphilis,
• tuberculosis,
• intestinal lesions,

First of all, infection of the child with worms should be excluded.

In the initial stages of these diseases, against the background of monocyte growth, a decrease in lymphocytes is determined.

An increase in monocytes is determined in various viral and fungal infections, rheumatoid arthritis in adolescents, in cases of severe poisoning with chemicals, which include tetrachloroethane and phosphorus compounds.

Blood diseases such as myeloid leukemia, lymphogranulomatosis, acute leukemias disrupt the balance between blood cells and cause monocytosis.

Some pediatricians note a temporary increased content of monocytes in a child up to one year old when teething milk teeth.

How to evaluate the simultaneous increase in monocytes and lymphocytes

Monocytes and lymphocytes are the two main types of cells that determine immunity, their growth indicates intensive work to destroy microorganisms. Connection to the protection of all stages of tissue and humoral immunity (due to blood cells) indicates a good reaction of the child's body.

When lymphocytes and monocytes are increased during recovery from an infectious disease, the pediatrician can be calm about the outcome of the disease. Such changes are regarded as positive in the postoperative period. At the same time, the level of lymphocytes in babies under one year old exceeds 72%, and after 6 years - 60%.

If a child is sick with a viral infection (measles, whooping cough, viral hepatitis, rubella, mumps), and during the control analysis, monocytosis is added to the existing lymphocytosis, this means that a bacterial infection is possible. You should check the injection sites, pay attention to redness, diaper rash on the skin, purulent plugs in the throat.

Low or high monocytes in a blood test should be considered only in connection with other research results, complaints and objective symptoms of the disease.

Monocytes are leukocyte cells. Their main function is to neutralize foreign "agents", including tumor cells.

This indicator must always be kept under control, since an increase or decrease in the level of monocytes always indicates the development of pathology in the body.

Monocytes (mononuclear phagocytes, macrophages, histiocytes) are large white nuclear cells produced from a multipatent stem cell through red bone marrow. They are part of leukocytes, along with species such as eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils and lymphocytes. They live in blood vessels for a maximum of 2-3 days, then move to the surrounding tissues of the body.

Mononuclear phagocytes - "orderlies" in the human body, removing the effects of infection.

They counteract disease-causing organisms, various tumors. Each blood component performs its own function, sometimes two or three. Phagocytes are of key importance in protecting the child's body when any foreign material enters it. So, the functions of these cells are as follows:

1. Participation in the reactions of humoral and cellular immunity. Histiocytes resist viruses, fungi, microbes, tumor formations, poisonous and toxic substances. At the end of the inflammatory process, dead cells remain inside, products of tissue decay. Mononuclear phagocytes rush there as "orderlies".
2. Participation in the process of tissue repair. The source of inflammation is surrounded by histiocytes, forming a protective septum. This stops the spread of the infectious process further through the body.

The norm in children

This indicator differs from the norm for an adult and depends directly on the age of the child. The rates are presented in the table below.

Monocytosis

A pathology during which monocytes in the blood of a child are increased is called monocytosis. It usually occurs during an infection, but is not a separate disease in itself. May indicate a disease with brucellosis, tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, mononucleosis. The symptoms of monocytosis are fatigue, weakness, and fever. More often in children, the phenomenon of monocytopenia occurs - when the level of monocytes in a child is lowered. It can be observed with very serious pathologies, including cancer.

If monocytes are reduced to 0% - then this is a threat to life!

Types of pathology

This violation is presented in two types, depending on the cause of the change in the leukocyte formula:

1. Absolute is characterized by an increase in phagocytes in all parameters. In this case, the analysis record will indicate: “Monocytes abs. increased. " Absolute monocytosis is an alarming sign for doctors and parents. If abs monocytes are increased in a child, the doctor must send him for additional examinations.
2. Relative is observed if the percentage of histiocytes is higher than the normal value, but the leukocytes are normal. The reason lies in a decrease in the number of other types of leukocytes.

Causes of Elevated Monocytes

The number of macrophages above the norm in a child in most cases is not an indicator of terrible diseases. Even more often, this is an indicator of already suffered diseases.

Often, monocytes are elevated in a child due to tooth loss or eruption. It can also be a specificity of the child's body and be a hereditary phenomenon.

Common causes of elevated histiocytes in children:

• surgical operations;
• past illnesses (ARVI, ARI);
• diseases of the circulatory system;
• long-term use of hormonal drugs;
• general body fatigue;
• purulent processes;
• invasive diseases;
• infectious diseases;
• mycoses;
• intoxication of the body.

Clinical blood test as a classic diagnostic method

This type of study shows the number of all leukocytes in general, as well as the content of individual elements as a percentage. Only having a general blood test with a transcript and a leukogram on his hands, the doctor sends your child for additional examinations, if necessary.

The well-known pediatrician Dr. Komarovsky advises to observe small, but very important nuances during the donation of blood by the child, as this can affect the results:

1. Blood for analysis is usually taken capillary, from a finger. In newborns, blood is taken from the heel.
2. Breakfast time should be rescheduled a little later, since eating before the analysis, the baby will thus distort the results. If you violate this rule, you will see that monocytes and ESR will be increased, and neutrophils will be decreased.
3. The child must be reassured before donating blood.
4. It is imperative to check on the analysis form if the age is indicated, since the norms for different ages are different.
5. Serious physical activity the day before can lead to a false result. Without observing this recommendation, platelets and monocytes in their numerical values ​​will show a deviation from the norm.
6. Some medications can affect the percentage of different types of white blood cells. It is imperative to tell the doctor about this before he deciphers the blood test.

Diagnostic value of simultaneous deviation from the norm of other blood parameters

When decoding the KLA, it is important to look at the significance of not only elevated macrophages, but also other cells, not only related to leukocytes:

The most common blood cell reactions are:

• Elevated lymphocytes and macrophages can be detected when exposed to a viral infection (influenza, measles, chickenpox, respiratory disease), and lowered lymphocytes will indicate a failure in the immune system. Lymphocytes are blood cells that make up the white blood cells and are produced by the lymph nodes and the thymus gland. They are responsible for cellular immunity. When lymphocytes and monocytes in a child are increased during the period of recovery from an infectious disease, there is no need to worry about the outcome of the disease. This means that the child will cope with the disease.
• Increased phagocytes and eosinophils indicate allergic reactions (bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis) and helminthiases (ascariasis, giardiasis). Sometimes they indicate lymphomas and leukemias. Eosinophils are granulocyte cells produced by the bone marrow. Their function is to fight against pathological organisms. The most common reason why a child has increased eosinophils is helminthiasis and allergic diseases. Congenital eosinophilia is isolated separately.
• If a child has increased monocytes and basophils, then this may indicate the presence of an allergy or an autoimmune disease. Basophils are the smallest cells in the immune system. Their main function is to destroy foreign viruses, microbes and bacteria. Basophils are the first of all cells to go to inflammation.
• Elevated monocytes in a child + neutrophils indicate the appearance of a bacterial infection. In such cases, the level of lymphocytes decreases, and the sick baby has a high fever, cough, rhinitis with thick mucus, while listening, the doctor diagnoses wheezing in the lungs. Neutrophilic granulocytes are responsible for the process of phagocytosis - the capture and eating of foreign particles. Their greatest role is to protect the child's body from fungal and bacterial infections.
• Elevated platelets and histiocytes may indicate infectious diseases (meningitis, toxoplasmosis). Platelets are not included in the leukocyte formula, but are a cellular element of the blood. Their function is to act as a kind of "blockage" at the site of the damaged vessel. Elevated platelets in the blood test are the reason for the appointment of additional examinations.
• Decreased platelets and histiocytes are a warning sign that there is a problem with hematopoiesis at the level of the bone marrow.

Monocytes and ESR

Red blood cells are blood cells saturated with hemoglobin that carry oxygen throughout the body. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test is accepted as an international standard for a general blood test. This indicator does not exist in isolation from others. Monocytes and ESR in humans are related in the same way as all blood components are related to each other. The rate of ESR in a child changes with age. The rate of ESR in an infant at birth is about 20 times less than in a baby of one month of age. An increased ESR along with an increase in phagocytes may indicate an infection.

Actions when increasing monocytes in the blood

Monocytosis is not really an independent separate disease, but it is a symptom of the presence of a disease. For the treatment of pathology, it is important to understand the reason why an increased content of monocytes is found in a child. A doctor must be involved in the treatment! In the case of infectious diseases, it will probably be drugs. Oncological diseases require more intensive examinations and treatment measures.

Elevated monocytes in children: should you worry?

The largest blood cells in the white blood cell group are called monocytes. An increase in the level of macrophages in a child may indicate a pathological process in the body.

Monocytes are part of leukocytes and the general immune system. Macrophages have the ability to absorb harmful bacteria of a sufficiently large size, which are not available to other cells. They also work in an environment where the pH is high, very actively fighting infectious pathogens, which cannot be done by numerous microphage-neutrophils.

And most importantly, in the place where the inflammatory process directly occurs, the cells absorb all harmful microorganisms, as well as dead particles of immunity. As a result of this work of monocytes, lesions heal faster and better.

The norm of monocytes in the blood of a child

Monocytes are elevated in a child, usually due to pathology in the body. White blood cells are a group of white blood cells that are responsible for protecting the body from pests. This group includes: microphage-neutrophils, the main blood cells responsible for the production of antibodies - lymphocytes, a subspecies of leukocytes - eosinophils and large granulocytes-basophils.

Monocytes differ from all these cells in size - they are the largest and most active.

A clinical blood test shows in detail all the changes in the leukocyte formula. The number of monocytes is determined as a percentage of all other types of leukocytes per 1 liter of blood and should change with the age of the child. Only from the age of 16 to the age of 18, the level of large white cells remains within a range not exceeding 8% of the total leukocyte variety.

Monocyte level table by age

To determine the number of macrophages in a blood test, it is imperative to know the age of the child - the number of large white blood cells changes with age.

Normal indicator of monocytes by age:

What is the danger of deviation from the norm

Dangers of deviation from the norm:

Reasons for the deviation of monocytes from the norm

The reduced number of monocytes in children is small. Because of this, the percentage of deviation is considered to be from 0 to 2 units. In the event of such a result, the pediatrician raises the question of monocytopenia syndrome or a low level of macrophage-monocytes in the blood. But this pathological condition is not an independent disease, but a consequence of pathological disorders in the body.

Also, a decrease in monocytes confirms the poor functioning of the immune system.

Possible reasons for the decrease in macrophages:

• exhaustion;
• psycho-emotional stress;
• infectious pathologies;
• damage to body tissues in the form of a wound or bruise;
• ionizing radiation treatment;
• surgical intervention;
• systemic steroid therapy;
• cytostatic treatment;
• violation of hemoglobin synthesis due to iron deficiency;
• general infection of the body with pathogenic microbes that have entered the blood;
• disease of the soft cancellous tissue inside the bone;
• severe fever;
• normocytic anemia;
• purulent wounds on the surface of the skin;
• acute mental shock;
• blood cancer.

If monocytopenia is detected, the pediatrician prescribes additional tests and examinations to find out the cause. An increased level of macrophages is called monocytosis. This condition is also not an independent disease, but a secondary one.

The reasons for the increase in monocytes in the blood in children:

Symptoms of abnormalities

Monocytes are elevated in a child for certain reasons and are accompanied by various symptoms. Abnormal indicators in the leukocyte formula are accompanied by certain manifestations on the part of the body.

Symptoms of an increased number of monocytes in the body:

• an increase in the peripheral organs of the lymphatic system;
• lack of physical strength and energy;
• chronic fatigue syndrome;
• subfebrile body temperature;
• swelling of the nasal mucosa;
• painful sensations in the abdomen;
• sensation preceding vomiting.

Manifestations of a reduced number of macrophages:

Which doctor to contact

To determine any pathology in a child, first of all, you should visit a pediatrician. During the consultation, the specialist will make an examination, as well as ask about disturbing complaints. He will draw conclusions and appoint the necessary examinations.

Indications for analysis

An increased or decreased content of monocytes is detected by the general leukocyte formula of a clinical blood test. The indication for the appointment of a survey is primarily a change in the child's age.

And also to determine:

• possible pathological changes during the treatment of the primary disease;
• symptoms of unclear etiology in a child;
• in order to analyze the conduct of the prescribed treatment;
• determine the level of the pathological process in the body;
• as a preventive measure to prevent the recurrence of long-term diseases;
• complications in the process of treating the underlying pathology.

How do I prepare for a CBC?

In order to get a valid test result, it is necessary to properly prepare for the test, and this should be done in advance.

There are certain rules for preparing the body for the procedure for passing the UAC:

Correct preparation for the delivery of a clinical blood test will contribute to a more accurate test result and a correct diagnosis.

Blood donation rules

Monocytes (increased in a child due to an incorrectly taken analysis) are cells that are included in the leukocyte formula of a general blood test. In order to get a real, true test result, it is necessary not only to properly prepare for testing, but also to pass it correctly.

Before performing a KLA, many patients ask themselves where they need to donate blood: from a vein or a finger, and how best to do it. As a rule, for a CBC is usually sufficient to draw blood from a finger or capillaries. If the pediatrician wants to see a more detailed test result, then blood is donated from a vein.

This survey is considered more accurate. The explanation for this fact is that during the procedure, the finger is squeezed, and the capillaries narrow from the puncture with a scarifier (conditioned reflex) - distorts the result. There is also an opinion that some blood cells settle on a laboratory glass tube, and this fact reduces the information content of the test.

In order to pass the UAC, there are two ways and, accordingly, the same number of rules.

Taking blood from a vein for a small patient is the most suitable option - although it is a longer procedure than with a scarifier, but less painful.

Process description:

Rules for passing a clinical blood test from a finger:

• first of all, the parent must calm the child down before entering the manipulation room;
• if the child begins to have strong moods and fear, this may affect the result of the analysis;
• entering the office, you should sit down at the manipulation table and put the baby in your arms;
• it is necessary to give the health worker the opportunity, in a calm state, to work with the child's ring finger for a very short time;
• the specialist will wipe the skin before the test with cotton wool with alcohol or chlorhexidine;
• using a scarifier or lancet (which greatly facilitates the procedure, with it it is less painful), the laboratory assistant will make a puncture in the finger and take blood for the test;
• in infants, a blood test is not taken from the finger - testing is carried out on the heel.

There is a very well-developed capillary network in this place.

Analysis decoding

To determine the pathology in a child, it is necessary to correctly interpret the test results. A good pediatrician will definitely pay attention to the general leukocyte formula, as well as to ESR.

Elevated lymphocytes and macrophages:

• the presence of a viral infection in the child's body;
• active work of the immune system;
• ARI or colds.

Decreased lymphocytes and elevated monocytes:

• exhaustion;
• general weakening of immunity.

Simultaneous increase in the number of macrophages and eosinophils:

Increase in granulocytes-basophils and monocytes:

• systemic lupus erythematosus;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• allergic asthma;
• hives.

Increase in the number of azurophilic granules and macrophages:

• bacterial infections;
• mycoses.

High ROE in monocytosis:

• autoimmune pathological processes;
• allergic reactions;
• heart disease of inflammatory etiology;
• kidney inflammation;
• pneumonia;
• sepsis.

What are monocytosis and monocytopenia?

Monocytes are increased in a child - this is monocytosis. A decrease in the number of cells in the blood is called monocytopenia. Monocytosis is an increase in the number of white blood cells in the blood. This pathological manifestation is not an independent diagnosis (only in the case of a particular child's organism).

As a rule, an increase in the number of macrophages is provoked by some reason. In a child's body, monocytosis is a manifestation of the fact that the immune system and the blood system cannot cope with the attack of harmful bacteria or viruses. Sometimes an increase in blood monocytes is evidence of a recent inflammatory process in the body or psycho-emotional stress, which is not a deviation.

Monocytosis is usually manifested by symptoms of a disease that provoked an increase in the level of macrophages in the blood and this, as a rule, is the onset of inflammatory or viral diseases.

Symptoms:

• fatigue;
• weakening of the body;
• changes in mood;
• colds;
• subfebrile temperature.

In itself, an increase in monocytes in the blood without symptoms and abnormalities is not a violation. But when monocytosis is detected, it is imperative to monitor the general condition of the child's body and do control clinical tests at regular intervals so as not to miss the beginning of the progression of the pathological process.

Decrease in the number of monocytes in the blood or monocytopenia. With this process, the total number of macrophages in a child drops below 2%, which may indicate a sharp decrease in the body's immune defense. There are a lot of reasons for lowering - from stressful situations when a child cannot cope with psychological or physical stress to cancer.

The pediatrician, if monocytopenia is detected, must prescribe certain additional examinations and, based on the results, make recommendations. As a rule, monocytopenia requires nutritional correction, restorative procedures. If pathologies are found, corrective therapy should be prescribed.

Types of monocytosis

Monocytosis is classified by type - percentage (relative) and complete (absolute). Percentage monocytosis can be diagnosed in a clinical blood test in relation to macrophages to the rest of the cells of the leukocyte formula. At the same time, the indicator of the level of monocytes, in comparison with other parts of the immune system, will be higher in percentage terms.

Complete monocytosis is manifested not in relation to other types of leukocytes, but together with them.

An increase in large numbers of all indicators of the immune system is a criterion for staging a syndrome of complete or absolute monocytosis. In this case, an additional examination is required to find out the cause of the pathological change in the CBC.

How is the follow-up examination of children with monocytosis carried out?

The principles of examination for monocytosis are built by the pediatrician on the basis of additional changes in the leukocyte formula:

Any additional examinations are prescribed by a pediatrician only after consultation and examination of the child.

How to normalize monocyte levels

Any deviations in the work of large cells of the leukocyte formula are not an independent disease, and first of all, it is necessary to find out the true cause of the changes. But it is necessary to monitor the child's quality of life - this will be the best preventive method.

It is necessary to provide:

The opinion of Dr. Komarovsky

The well-known doctor Komarovsky regarding monocytosis has the following opinion: so that there are no deviations in the number of macrophages, it is necessary to monitor the immunity of your baby from birth.

To do this, it is necessary to constantly walk with the child, monitor the humidity in the house, constantly remember about airing, after walking in the fresh air and in the morning, after sleeping, it is necessary to rinse the child's nose with a hypertonic solution. Do not indulge in unauthorized enthusiasm for antibacterial agents, which leads to disruption of the immune system.

The doctor says the disease is easier to prevent than to cure. In order not to miss an increase in the level of monocytes in the blood of a child, and therefore a pathological process, it is necessary to undergo a preventive examination by a pediatrician in a timely manner.

Article design: Lozinsky Oleg

Video about monocytes in the blood of a child

Blood test for monocytes:

A clinical (or general) blood test is an open book from which the doctor can glean a huge amount of important information about the patient's condition. It is not necessary for parents to read and understand this document, but in a typical blood test form there is such a column as “norm”, which means that anyone can compare certain actual indicators with “ideal” ones and determine the presence. In order not to prematurely panic if you see that your baby has low monocytes, a little educational program as to what this can mean.

Role of monocytes

As you know, blood has many important functions in the human body. One of them is protective. Our immunity works like a well-oiled security service in the state: its task is the timely detection and ruthless destruction of all alien that enters the body and can potentially harm it, as well as the fight against the "internal enemy" - our own cells, which have become "traitors" : began to transform, becoming atypical (malignant).

But in order to identify and neutralize the enemy, ubiquitous agents are needed. They are just special blood particles, because blood circulates through the network of blood vessels throughout the body, which means that it can detect disorder, wherever its focus is.

Did you know? The total length of all blood vessels in an adult (veins, arteries and capillaries) is about one hundred thousand kilometers (!). To imagine how much this is, recall that the length of the Earth's equator is only some forty thousand kilometers. In this case, the systemic circulation takes less than half a minute in time.

Thus, it was difficult to think of a better "controller" of the state of the organism than blood.

Monocytes play the main role in the destruction of the detected "enemies". The mechanism of their work is scientifically called phagocytosis. In simple words, monocytes are cells that capture and devour all sorts of muck that enters our body or is present in it, but "behaves incorrectly" (we are talking not only about bacteria, viruses, fungi and atypical cells, but also about any foreign particles and just dead cells of your own body).
It is clear that any guard, defender, commander, having discovered the danger threatening the object entrusted to him, directs the main forces to the source of the threat to provide a worthy counteraction. This is how the immune system works in our body, with the difference that it does not need to keep a huge army "in reserve", if necessary, it is simply created by producing precisely those particles whose task is to destroy the enemy.

Thus, running a little ahead, already at this stage we can guess that an increase in the number of monocytes in the blood indicates, on the one hand, the presence of a threat, on the other hand, that the body has independently joined the struggle.

Life in a monocyte lasts from several days to one and a half to two months (for comparison: platelets live for about a week, granulocytes for several months, and, say, lymphocytes for tens of years, and some even throughout the entire life of the body). At the same time, a monocyte spends only a small part of its life in the blood, about 30 hours.
These particles are born in the bone marrow, then enter the bloodstream. During this period, the particles are not yet fully formed, but at the same time it is at this stage that their ability to destroy "enemy armies" is at the maximum level. After a while, most of the monocytes naturally die, and the rest passes into the tissues, where they are finally formed.

Fully matured monocytes are called monophages, they live not in the blood, but in various organs and at the same time continue to actively engage in phagocytosis (destruction and digestion of foreign and harmful particles). Due to their large size (12-20 microns), monocytes are able to absorb large enough formations of all kinds of "debris". If it is not possible to destroy a foreign body, the monocyte surrounds it with a kind of protective layer and thus neutralizes it.

Important! Monocytes are found not only in the blood, but also in other organs and systems of a person, in particular, in the bone marrow, liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. Moreover, not only the vital activity of these particles is aimed at killing the "enemies" of the organism. Monocytes perform this important function even as a result of their very death: when dying, monophages secrete substances that are toxic to foreign cells.

It is interesting that throughout a person's life, the number of particles we are considering changes very slightly. For this reason, the normal indicators in the blood test of an adult and a child are about the same, although there are still certain discrepancies (for example, after puberty, the upper indicator of the norm of cells of this type in the blood increases slightly).

Important! A typical form of a general blood test in the "norm" column provides indicators applicable to an adult, while they may be completely different (it is also important to take into account the age of the child, because the norm for a newborn and the norm for a teenager are different things). This applies to monocytes to a lesser extent, but still, parents should be aware that a doctor should still read a blood test.

• for - from 3 to 12%;
• for babies up to 14 days of life - from 5 to 15%;
• for babies from two weeks to one year old - from 4 to 10%;
• for children from one to two years old - from 3 to 10%;
• for older children - from 3 to 9%.

The ideal indicator for children over two years old is considered to be 9-10% for this type of particles.

Note also that the above norms are expressed as a percentage, that is, they are relative. Sometimes, however, it is important to determine the absolute number of monocytes in the blood, that is, their specific number in one liter of blood. The rate calculated according to a certain formula is 0.09 ∙ 10⁹ / l -0.6 ∙ 109 / l. Thus, when talking about a decreased or increased number of monocytes in the blood, we can talk about the fact that these cells are too few / too many at all, or too few / too many compared to the total number of leukocytes.

Important! A decreased rate of monocytes is called monocytopenia, an increased rate is called monocytosis. Relative monocytopenia is said when the particle count is less than 3%, absolute - when it is less than 0.09 ∙ 10⁹ / l. Accordingly, relative monocytosis is when there are more monocytes than 11%, absolute - when there are more than 0.6 ∙ 10⁹ / l.

Thus, speaking about a decrease in the level of a given category of particles, it is important to understand what indicators are in question - about absolute or about relative: depending on this, one can draw a conclusion about where exactly the cause of the deviation from the norm should be sought.

The main reasons for the decline

So, we have already understood that monocytosis (when there are too many phagocytes), in general, indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the body. Often, for example, this is typical for infectious diseases, as well as diseases that have a long and sluggish course (say, tuberculosis). But what does the situation mean when the child's monocytes, on the contrary, are lowered? In fact, there may be several reasons and, I must say, many of them are quite serious.
The first one is sepsis... This terrible word refers to a situation when a large number of pathogenic microbes are present in a person's blood, which spread to all organs and tissues (relatively speaking, phagocytes cannot cope with the task assigned to them, enemy agents win at this stage, and defenders die in an unequal battle) ...

The second is . This condition is characterized by just relative monocytopenia, that is, there are few of these particles, not in general, but relative to the total number of leukocytes. The pathology consists in the fact that the bone marrow produces too many cells, they do not have time to divide into the necessary types in the correct proportions, and, accordingly, cannot properly cope with the task assigned to them. Once in the bloodstream in this "immature" state, these particles can do more harm than good (leukemia is also called leukemia or blood cancer).
Interestingly, there is the concept of chronic monocytic leukemia - a disease characterized by the presence of a growing tumor that damages the surrounding tissues, which is in the blood system and consists precisely of monocytes transforming into atypical cells. To reassure parents, let's say that such an oncological disease very rarely occurs in children and, by the way, is characterized, rather, by an increased number of monocytes in the blood. Here's a paradox.

Important! Blood cancer cannot be diagnosed by a general blood test, since the number of monocytes in this pathology is not always reduced. But if, with established leukemia, this indicator is still present, it indicates that the child's condition is critical, and the treatment (if it was carried out) does not give the desired effect. That is why the level of monocytes in the blood helps not so much to establish leukemia as to determine the success of therapy.

The considered results of a general blood test can also indicate a violation of the hematopoietic function of the bone marrow (the so-called aplastic anemia). In this case, the indicators of other particles are usually lowered in the blood. In turn, such a pathology is most often the result of a past viral infection, trauma, surgical treatment, medication (in particular, after taking steroids) or other intoxication of the body, hormonal imbalance and even severe stress or shock.

Sometimes a similar anemia occurs for such a banal reason as a deficiency of folic acid (vitamin B9). But in certain cases, aplastic anemia can also be congenital.

Another dangerous pathology of the immune system, which makes itself felt by a low number of phagocytes in the blood, is the so-called systemic lupus erythematosus.
This disease is accompanied by damage to the skin, liver, joints, cardiovascular system and even psyche. One of the most obvious symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus is a characteristic butterfly-shaped rash on the face (cheeks + nose bridge). It was from here that the name of the disease arose: our distant ancestors associated the location of the rash on the face with wolf bites. Thus, this cause of "poor blood count" can be discarded if there is no well-defined and noticeable sign of it.

Did you know?Human blood is red in color because of the iron it contains, which acts as an oxygen carrier. Some species of spiders have blue blood, because copper serves as a carrier of oxygen in it.

A decrease in the level of phagocytes in the blood can also be caused by other infectious (especially purulent) and inflammatory diseases, when the immune system does not fully cope with its protective function and loses ground in the face of the enemy. But sometimes even banal worms or just a general breakdown can cause such an indicator (although in this case it is not worth ignoring the signal, because it indicates that the body's resistance is below normal).
It is also important to understand that the decline is not the same. Sometimes the analysis shows that the number of monocytes corresponds to zero, in this case, it is absolutely certain that the child must be urgently rescued, but a slight deviation from the norm below the established limit is, rather, a reason to think seriously than to fall into a stupor and say goodbye to life.

By the way, not a very good symptom is also relative monocytosis, when there are many monocytes and few lymphocytes. In general, this is a topic for a separate conversation, here we just want to once again draw attention to the fact that it is important to distinguish between relative and absolute deviations from the norm of the indicator of this type of phagocytes in the blood and certainly not to self-medicate.

Diagnostics

We have shown above that below normal monocytes are not a diagnosis. A similar result of the analysis indicates a weak resistance of the body, but it can be caused by two reasons: either serious, or the consequences of something bad that happened to the child. So, having received such information for thought, the doctor will have to analyze it and establish the reasons for the deviation from the norm. And sensible and wise parents should help him in this.
The measures that traditionally help to make a diagnosis include, first of all, a careful and comprehensive study of other indicators of a clinical blood test, in particular:

• the total number of leukocytes (above we said that the decrease in monocytes is absolute and relative);
• the structure of leukocytes of different types in the blood (in addition to monocytes, this group of particles also includes lymphocytes, basophils, eosinophils and neutrophils);
• the presence (if so, in what quantity) or absence of immature particles, or blasts, in the blood (as mentioned, a large number of them may indicate the development of a serious pathology, including a malignant one), etc.

Important! Blood sampling to determine the level of monocytes is done strictly on an empty stomach (you cannot eat or drink anything other than water for at least ten hours). In addition, the child must be absolutely calm, both emotionally and physically. So if your baby was hysterical when he was pricked with a finger, it is better to double-check the results of the analysis and prick the finger again, having previously explained to the little patient that this is not scary at all.

This is followed by a very detailed survey of parents in order to identify the reasons that could provoke a "bad" test result.
It is important to remember everything: what the child was ill with in the near future, what he took, whether there were serious events in the family that could cause stress, whether the baby suffered an injury, etc. It directly depends on how accurately the parents answer the doctor's questions. speed and correctness of the final diagnosis.

Having analyzed all the information obtained from the two above sources, the doctor will determine the direction of further examination, the purpose of which is to accurately establish the cause of the decrease in phagocytes.

Treatment

As we have already understood, no one treats low monocytes. Treatment should not be aimed at increasing the number of these particles as such, but at eliminating the reason why the child's body does not resist external threats as it should.

If this cause is an independent diagnosis (sepsis, leukemia, etc.), a low level of monocytes will help identify it in time and, thus, make the treatment more successful.

If we are talking about the consequences of what happened earlier, the doctor's task should be aimed at helping the little patient get back to normal as quickly as possible. Sometimes it is enough to prescribe the correct diet and general recommendations for adjusting the lifestyle. In more complex cases, drug therapy may be required (or, on the contrary, urgent withdrawal of drugs that were previously prescribed), and sometimes even surgery.
As the treatment progresses (whatever it may be), it is imperative that the child be given a control blood test until all the indicators return to normal, and after that, for prevention, at least again after six months. Immunity is the most valuable thing that nature has endowed us with, and you can't joke with it.

Decreased monocytes in the blood of a child is not a very normal phenomenon, but at the same time it is far from always critical. Suffice it to say that it is in children that the deviation from the norm in the number of cells of this type is more often in the smaller direction than in the larger one. Everything can be explained simply: a small organism still does not fully cope with the challenges that it has to face.

Sometimes this indicator is, indeed, associated with the presence of a serious illness, but sometimes it can be a trivial consequence of an infection or injury. Therefore, the main thing is not to panic, but to help the doctor establish the true cause of the deviation and prescribe the correct treatment.

From the moment a child takes his first breath until he reaches 18 years of age, parents have a huge responsibility to keep him healthy. This can be done by observing all the recommendations of the pediatrician, not only with regard to preventive and therapeutic (if necessary) measures, but also recommendations regarding the passage of preventive examinations by specialists once a year, as well as laboratory examinations. The latter include a general analysis of urine and. It happens that as a result of a clinical examination, it is revealed that monocytes in the blood of a child are increased.

Norm

Protective functions in the body are carried out by special - leukocytes. There are 5 types of leukocytes.

Monocytes are the largest white blood cells. Among themselves, doctors very often call these cells "cleaners", "body wipers." This is due to the fact that it is monocytes that are responsible for the processes of phagocytosis, during which pathogenic microorganisms are destroyed, as well as incapacitated blood cells. Monocytes in the blood have a very important property - they can process harmful particles several times larger in size.

In the course of laboratory testing, the indicator of the content of monocytes in the blood is not considered separately. This is due to the fact that the most informative determination of the percentage of all types of leukocytes is a study.

The norm of monocytes in the blood of a child in percentage terms with other types of leukocytes contains, on average, from 3 to 12%.

However, this indicator is not constant, but changes depending on age:

• the first 7 days of life - 3 - 12%;
• 7 days - 1 year, the norm ranges from 4 to 10%;
• from 1 to 16 years old, this indicator gradually decreases to 9%.

Enhancement

Both their decrease and increase require increased attention on the part of the doctor to the issues of determining the reasons that caused these changes.

If a child has increased monocytes in the blood, the causes of this condition are most often pathological, but may also be physiological.

in children:

• period of teething;
• overly active lifestyle (hyperactivity);
• recovery period after surgical treatment;
• recovery period in the process of recovery from illness.

However, most often, an increase in the content of monocytes in a child indicates the development of a pathological condition in the child's body:

• infection with worms;
• acute forms of infectious diseases of various origins;
• the presence of fungal infections;
• various forms of tuberculosis;
• oncological;
• poisoning with chemical compounds such as tetrachloroethane and phosphorus;
• development of foci of purulent infections;
• diseases of the autoimmune system;
• oncological diseases affecting various organs, both benign and malignant forms;
• chronic inflammatory processes;
• viral diseases.

Downgrade

It also happens that laboratory research indicates that. This condition is called monocytopenia and it also indicates the development of disorders in the functioning of the immune system of the child's body.

The following factors can provoke a decrease in the level of monocytes in a child:

• traumas of a different nature suffered in the recent past;
• the presence of emotional overload in the child, stressful situations;
• long-term courses of taking certain medications, one of the side effects is the development of monocytopenia;
• depletion of the child's body as a whole, loss of strength;
• decreased immunity;
• the presence of diseases affecting the hematopoietic system, for example, some;
• different types of typhus, which cause a decrease in the number of all types of blood cells.

In no case should you ignore changes in laboratory parameters, even insignificant ones. Both an increase and a decrease in the level of monocytes content requires a comprehensive examination in order to identify the true cause of the development of such a condition.

Treatment

Changes in the monocyte content cannot be corrected. To bring the indicator of monocytes to normal, it is necessary to carry out specific treatment of the underlying disease, which provoked a violation of the concentration of this type of cells. After the child recovers, when his immune system returns to normal, the leukocyte counts, including monocytes, will recover on their own.

results

For monocytes, data from laboratory blood tests, in particular, leukocyte formula, the indicators are not considered separately, but the content of all types of leukocytes must be taken into account. This allows you to obtain reliable information not only about the stage of the disease, but also to accurately establish the type of pathogen that provoked its development.

A simultaneous increase in monocytes and lymphocytes is observed in viral diseases (influenza, acute respiratory infections, and others). Based on laboratory data, the doctor can reasonably prescribe antiviral therapy.

Video - Dr. Komarovsky about bacterial, viral infection, increased monocytes in children: