Abstract
Quantitation of T Cells in blood is the part of the diagnostic workup for cellular immunity. Specimens of venous blood were collected within 24 hours of birth from 51 healthy, appropriate for gestational age infants. T lymphocytes were identified on the basis of their ability to form rosettes with sheep erythrocytes. The lymphocytes were harvested from peripheral venous blood, which is considered to be more representative of the immune status in the newborn than the cord blood. In the newborn infants the proportion in T cells was found to be considerably diminished in comparison to previously reported values for adults. Preterm infants, especially those with gestational age of 34 wk or less had significantly lower percentage of T cells in their blood as compared with term infants. The proportion of T cells was statistically reduced in infants weighing 2000g or less in contrast to those weighing 2500 g or more.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Stiehm Er. Fetal defense mechanisms.Am J Dis Child 1975; 129: 438–443.
Singh M, Manerikar S, Malviya AN, Premawathi, Goplan R, Kumar R. Immune status of low birth weight babies.Indian Pediatr 1978; 15: 563–567.
Hariaharan K, Kurien S, Daneial VA, Murti IAS, Venkat Rao S. Immunological status of newborn infants.Indian J Pediatr 1984; 51: 419–422.
Jondal M, Holm G, Wigzell H. Surface markers on human T and B lymphocytes. I. A large population of lymphocytes forming nonimmune rosettes with sheep red blood cells.J Exp Med 1972; 136: 207–210.
Davis RH, Galant SP. Nonimmune rosette formation: A measure of the newborn infant's cellular immune response.J Pediatr 1975; 87: 449–452.
Ferguson AC, Lawlor GJ, Neumann CG, Oh W, Stiehm ER. Decreased rosetteforming lymphocytes in malnutrition and intrauterine growth retardation.J Pediatr 1974; 85: 717–727.
Christiansen JS, Osther K, Peitersen B, Bach-Mortensen N. B, T and null lymphocytes in newborn infants and their mother.Acta Pediatr Scand 1976; 65: 425–428.
Diaz-Jornean E, Strickland RG, Williams RC. Studies of human lymphocytes in the newborn and the aged.Am J Med 1975; 58: 620–628.
Gmeling-Meyling F, Dollekamp L, Zegers BJM, Balleiux RE. Lymphocyte subpopulations in neonates, young children and adults as detected by six cell surface markers.Acta Pediatr Scand 1980; 69: 13–19.
Camppell AC, Waller C, Wood J, Aynsley-Green A, Yu V. Lymphocyte subpopualtion in the blood of newborn infants.Clin Expl Immunol 1974; 18: 469–482.
Thomas RM, Linch DC. Identification of lymphocyte subsets in the newborn using a variety of monoclonal antibodies.Arch Dis Child 1983; 58: 34–38.
Ferguson AC. Prolonged impairment of cellular immunity in children with intrauterine growth retardation.J Pediatr 1978; 93: 52–56.
Erkeller-Yuksel FM, Deneys V, Yuksel B et al. Age-related changes in the human blood lymphocyte subpopulations.J Pediatr 1992; 120: 216–222.
Fleisher TA, Luckasen JR, Sabad A, Gehrtz RC, Kersey JH. T and B lymphocyte subpopulations in children.Pediatrics 1975; 55: 162–165.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kumar, A., Jauhari, P., Singh, U. et al. Quantitation of T cells in venous blood of healthy neonates. Indian J Pediatr 61, 711–714 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02751986
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02751986