Since birth, and then in anyage, an informative method of investigation is a simple general blood test. During the blood test, one of the indicators reveals the level of one of the white blood cells - monocytes.
Monocytes are the most active and largeblood cells that do not contain granules and are a kind of leukocytes. In the blood, monocytes come from the red bone marrow, where they originate. Together with the blood, while still immature, they circulate for several days, after which they enter the tissues of the body, where they degenerate into macrophages. The main function of macrophages is the destruction and absorption of pathogenic and foreign microorganisms, their products of vital activity, as well as the remains of dead cells. Monocytes, the norm of which can change with age, is also called "janitors of the body", since they very successfully prevent the development of blood clots and tumors. Moreover, they take an active part in hematopoiesis. Unlike neutrophils, after absorption of foreign particles and cells, monocytes most often do not die.
The normal number of monocytes in the bloodvaries from 3 to 11% of the total number of leukocytes and is calculated as a percentage. Transferring the data in absolute value, we will receive more than 400 cells per 1 ml of blood.
The level of monocytes in the blood of a child with hiscan vary by age, so at birth their norm is from 3 to 12%, up to 2 weeks the level of monocytes can rise to 15%, up to a year the norm will be considered - 4-10%. In an adult, the number of white cells is kept within 1-8%.
Sometimes in children it happens that monocytes, the normwhich varies from 3 to 15%, deviate from this very norm by 10%. There is not a single reason to panic in this case. Another thing is when the same 10% level of monocytes deviates from the norm in an adult.
The phenomenon when monocytes are elevated in the blood (the norm isof children is between 3 and 15%) is called monocytosis. In most cases, a high level of them indicates a pathogenic change in the body - an infectious disease. The hemopoietic system ceases to cope with pathogenic microorganisms, and active monocyte production begins to help it.
Often monocytosis is noted in a number of diseases such as malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, syphilis and others.
In the process of poisoning with various substances,for example phosphorus, elevated monocytes are also noted. The norm of monocytes is often rejected in the course of the natural physiological processes that occur in children, such as the loss of milk teeth or their eruption.
An increase in monocyte levels in women is associated withsuch diseases: viral or fungal infections, tuberculosis, enteritis, syphilis, or a malfunction in the circulatory system. Very often after operations on gynecology monocytes increase, the norm in women of which is within 1-8% of the total number of leukocytes. The reason for the deviation of the indicator in women can be even the presence of a malignant tumor.
Monocytopenia is a phenomenon when the bloodthe child is reduced monocytes. The norm in this case deviates when the bone marrow is deficient, acute infectious diseases, or when the organism is severely depleted. Monocytopenia is also possible with surgical intervention, with prolonged hormonal therapy or after chemotherapy irradiation.
In the case of a sharp decrease in monocytes in the blood of children, it is necessary to conduct additional studies to identify and further treat the disease that caused monocytopenia.
It is very important to follow the level of white cells intime of pregnancy, because childbirth, being a great stress, can lead to anemia, a strong exhaustion of the body. A decrease in monocytes may also indicate bone marrow disease.
At any age, women need at least once every six months to take an assay for monocytes in the blood, the norm of which should not exceed 10% of the total number of leukocytes.
Treatment of monocytopenia is to eliminatethe cause that caused the disease. Sometimes it will be enough to take some special drugs, sometimes you can not do without surgical intervention.
The disease monocytosis has no symptoms.Patients with an elevated level of monocytes experience excessive weakness and fatigue, there is a decrease in temperature, which is typical for various diseases. Therefore, it is possible to recognize monocytosis only by passing a blood test. Treatment will depend on pathologies that will form the basis for the development of the disease.
Monocytes are the body's defenses, and it is important to maintain them within the acceptable range. For this, it is recommended to take a blood test at least once every six months.
