title: Reference ranges for lymphocyte subsets in pediatric patients.
abstract: Peripheral blood lymphocyte subset reference ranges were examined in a large group (N = 130) of healthy pediatric patients ranging in age from 1 month to 17 years. All samples were stained with monoclonal antibodies, processed with a whole blood lysis technique, and analyzed on a flow cytometer. Data analysis demonstrated statistically significant changes in most lymphocyte subsets at age 3 years. The relative and absolute numbers of total lymphocytes, CD2, CD4, and CD19 cells; absolute numbers of CD3 and CD8 cells; and CD4/CD8 ratios were high at birth, decreased during early childhood, and closely approximated adult reference values after age 3 years. The relative numbers of CD8 lymphocytes were low in early childhood and then rose to adult values after 3 years of age. The relative percentage of CD3 cells remained stable over all ages studied. Although "adult" lymphocyte subset reference ranges may be similar to those in children older than 3 years, age-adjusted reference ranges should be used for the early childhood period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology/Hematopathology Division, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis.
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Kotylo
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Fineberg
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Redmond
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Charland
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000473:pathology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD