Analysing the developing lymphocyte system of neonates and infants.
Technical developments in immunophenotyping and function testing have greatly facilitated studies on the developing lymphocyte system in the past decade and contributed to a better interpretation of the data obtained in these studies. This is important for the correct interpretation of data obtained in paediatric patients with possible immunological diseases. The age-related differences in lymphocyte subpopulations and function imply that the available adult reference values cannot be used in children.


CONCLUSIONS
In this review we give an outline of the technical developments, their influence upon the interpretation of data, and the available literature about age-related changes in the developing lymphocyte system.
de Vries
E
E
Department of Immunology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
de Groot
R
R
de Bruin-Versteeg
S
S
Comans-Bitter
W M
WM
van Dongen
J J
JJ
D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000254:growth & development*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*