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Lymphocyte subpopulations in premature infants: An observational study

Kent, A; Scorrer, T; Pollard, AJ; Snape, MD; Clarke, P; Few, K; Menson, E; Varghese, AS; Hughes, S; Ladhani, SN; et al. Kent, A; Scorrer, T; Pollard, AJ; Snape, MD; Clarke, P; Few, K; Menson, E; Varghese, AS; Hughes, S; Ladhani, SN; Heath, PT (2016) Lymphocyte subpopulations in premature infants: An observational study. ADC Fetal and Neonatal Edition, 101 (6). F546-F551. ISSN 1359-2998 https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2015-309246
SGUL Authors: Heath, Paul Trafford

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Abstract

Background and objectives The infant's immune system evolves over the first months and years of life. Strong correlation exists between lymphocyte count, lymphocyte subpopulations and gestational age at birth. Associations with antenatal and postnatal steroid treatment, infection and chronic lung disease have also been described. Few published studies report the effect of increasing postnatal age (PNA) and comorbidities on lymphocyte subpopulations in premature infants beyond the first 4 months of life. This study aimed to describe changes in lymphocyte subpopulations in preterm infants up to 13 months PNA. Methods Premature infants (23–34 weeks completed gestation) from five centres had lymphocyte subpopulations measured at 2, 5 or 7, 12 and 13 months PNA alongside their vaccine responses in a vaccination trial. Results 393 blood samples from 151 babies were analysed. There was an increase in absolute numbers of total lymphocytes (median cell count 6.21×109/L at 13 months compared with 4.9×109/L at 2 months PNA) and CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, natural killer and B cells with increasing age. At 2 months PNA, there was a positive correlation between gestation and CD3+ and CD4+ counts (r=0.32 and 0.46, respectively) and proportions (r=0.22 and 0.41, respectively), and CD4+:CD8+ ratios (r=0.57), but a negative correlation with CD8+ proportions (r=−0.32). Conclusions This longitudinal study describes the distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations in premature infants and provides reference ranges for the major lymphocyte subsets to help guide clinicians when assessing premature infants for immunodeficiency in the first year of life. Trial registration number EudraCT 2007-007535-23.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: This article has been accepted for publication in ADC Fetal & Neonatal Edition following peer review. The definitive copyedited, typeset version Kent A, Scorrer T, Pollard AJ, et al Lymphocyte subpopulations in premature infants: an observational study Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition 2016;101:F546-F551 is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2015-309246
Keywords: Pediatrics, 1103 Clinical Sciences, 1114 Paediatrics And Reproductive Medicine, 1117 Public Health And Health Services
SGUL Research Institute / Research Centre: Academic Structure > Infection and Immunity Research Institute (INII)
Journal or Publication Title: ADC Fetal and Neonatal Edition
ISSN: 1359-2998
Dates:
DateEvent
1 November 2016Published
19 October 2016Published Online
16 March 2016Accepted
Publisher License: Publisher's own licence
URI: https://openaccess.sgul.ac.uk/id/eprint/107784
Publisher's version: https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2015-309246

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