[Immunologic and hematologic sequelae of splenectomy].
This article summarizes the hematological and immunological consequences of splenectomy in children. The hematological consequences are mainly noticed in the number of white cells and platelets. Indeed, platelets can remain elevated several weeks and even several months after surgery. Rarely antiplatelets aggregant drugs will be given if the platelet count is higher than one million per cubic millimeter. The immunological consequences of splenectomy in children are mainly manifested if the surgery was performed before the age of 6 or 7. The major consequence is a rapid and often lethal infectious complication. In diseases like thalassemia major or lymphoma, there is an increased risk of infection. The immunological mechanism seems linked to a decreased antibody formation in presence of higher antibody titre needed by the reticuloendothelial system to eliminate the microorganisms responsible for the infection. Therapeutic measures can be proposed: delay the age of splenectomy, leave some splenic tissue, administration of penicillin and lastly immunization against some antigens mainly responsible of the infection.
D000367:Age Factors; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013156:Splenectomy; D013922:Thrombocytosis / Q000209:etiology*
Les séquelles immunologiques et hématologiques de la splénectomie.