Neutrophils segmented in the blood: the norm in women, men and children

Neutrophils are a group of the most numerous leukocytes, the main function of which is to fight with pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms that penetrate the human body. Unlike erythrocytes and platelets, neutrophils have a nucleus. Neutrophils are produced by the bone marrow and, depending on age, have different sizes and shape of the nucleus.

Types of neutrophils

By maturity, neutrophils are divided into the following groups;

• Myeloblasts - "newborns" from stem cells - the initial base for the maturation of the neutrophil.
• Promyelocytes are a large round cell, the volume of which is almost completely occupied by the nucleus.
• Myelocytes are slightly less than promyelocytes, have a regular rounded core and a dense membrane.
• Metamyelocytes are smaller than myelocytes, the nucleus is kidney-shaped.
• The bacillary neutrophils - have a small nucleus of an elongated uneven shape, most of the cell is filled with cytoplasm.
• Segmented neutrophils - differ from rod-shaped neutrophils only by the shape of the nucleus, which is divided into segments. The size and amount of cytoplasm in these two types of neutrophils is the same.

Segmented neutrophil functions

Only segmented neutrophils are mature cells and have the highest specific gravity in the total leukocyte volume. Due to the ability not only to move in the blood stream, but also to penetrate through the walls of the vessels with the help of special outgrowths of the wall - the "legs", the segmented neutrophils move in the tissues to the affected area and dissolve pathogenic microorganisms in their protoplasm. After the "attack," neutrophils die, but the substances they isolated signal to other groups of cells about the location of the infection, and bone marrow - about the need to develop additional young myeloblasts.

Neutrophils segmented in the blood. Norm - what is it?

In a healthy adult, the specific gravity of segmented neutrophils is 47% -75% of the total number of neutrophils, with the number of stab neutrophils not exceeding 6%. Such a large difference is explained by the instability of the stab form and its rapid maturation into a mature neutrophil.

This is the norm. Segmented neutrophils in blood play an important role. Sometimes an absolute neutrophil count is used, which varies from 1000 to 7500 cells per microlitre of plasma (recorded in thousands of cells per liter - 1.0-7.5 x 109 / L). In men and women, leukocyte counts do not have pronounced differences, they are more related to the level of hemoglobin, erythrocytes, hematocrit.

With moderate infectious attacks, only segmented neutrophils participate in the protective functions of the body, the remaining younger forms continue to mature in the bone marrow and are absent in the blood. However, in the case of the emergence of extensive pathogens, when a large number of mature neutrophils quickly die and the replenishment does not have time to synthesize, the unresolved neutrophils of the four final stages are also connected to the process of eliminating the infection.

By recording the stages of neutrophils from myelocytes to segmented nuclei from left to right, the leukocyte formula can have a shift to the left when the amount of "young" neutrophils is raised in the blood, or to the right when the norm of mature leukocytes is exceeded.

Degrees of neutrophilia

An increase in the level of segmented neutrophils in blood plasma is called neutrophilia or neutrophilia. This is due to the fact that the norm of segmented blood in men and women is violated. In itself neutrophilia speaks about a sufficient level of immunity of an organism and its ability to withstand the onslaught of pathogenic bacteria, according to its level doctors first estimate the degree of pathology of the disease.

There are three degrees of neutrophilia:

• Moderate, when the level of neutrophils increases from 6.0 to 7.0 to 10;
• Extensive - at an index of 10.0 to 20.0;
• Generalized if it exceeds 20.0.

Moderate neutrophilia within 8.0-8.5 with the norm of other leukocyte groups does not necessarily indicate a pathology. This can be caused by excessive physical exertion, psychoemotional stress, stress, overeating, menstrual cycle in women. Also, shifting the leukocyte formula to the left can be observed after an infectious disease, during which an excess of "young" neutrophils was thrown into the blood, which were then transformed into mature segment-nuclear forms. Shift to the right can occur in cases of great blood loss, with blood transfusions, with certain types of anemia.

Causes of neutrophilia in adults

An extensive level of neutrophilia is caused by a number of pathogenic factors. It can be various acute infections of the respiratory and urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, joints. The generalized level of neutrophilia occurs with necrotic conditions, improperly administered vaccination, severe forms of poisoning with chemicals or alcohol, and oncological diseases.

Increase in leukocytes in women during pregnancy

With the onset of pregnancy in most women, there is a general increase in the level of leukocytes in the blood. In the early stages of pregnancy, it is caused by a reaction to the embryo as a foreign tissue. Then the total specific weight of leukocytes is stabilized within 20% above the norm with a relative ratio of all types of neutrophils within the norms of an adult. Sometimes in women with fetal fetus, there may be a shift in such a parameter as the norm of segmented blood in women in the left with an increase in stab neutrophils. In this case, the remaining indices of blood, lymph, and urine are studied to detect the presence of pathologies. If no significant deviations are found, such a shift may signal a probability of miscarriage, a woman should not neglect a thorough examination and observation by doctors.

Causes of neutropenia

A decrease in the level of neutrophils below the norm is called neutropenia and occurs, as a rule, for three main reasons:

1. The emergence of severe bacterial and viral diseases, such as brucellosis, measles, rubella, hepatitis, when the body was attacked by a huge number of pathogens, too many leukocytes were consumed to fight them.
2. The development of bone marrow resources, which caused oppression of the function of neutrophil synthesis. This may be due to the use of strong medications - immunosuppressive, analgesic, chemotherapy, exposure to radiation and radiotherapy.
3. The development of blood diseases - leukemia, anemia, acute deficiency of B vitamins and folic acid. In the treatment of such popular antiviral drugs as ribavirin and interferon, a decrease in the level of neutrophils is observed in 90% of those taking the drug.

Reduced segment neutrophils cause neutropenia. Like neutrophilia, neutropenia is of three degrees of severity. With a constant index of 1.0 - 1.5, neutropenia is considered to be mild. If the indices fall below 1.0 and 0.5 - moderate and severe neutropenia are diagnosed, respectively.

However, not always a lowered level of neutrophils indicates the presence of serious diseases or pathological abnormalities in the body. According to various sources, up to 30% of the Russian population have a permanent benign neutropenia of the first or second degree with the norm of all other blood parameters. Also, in a small number of people, the drop in the level of neutrophils is of a cyclic individual character.

Reduced segment neutrophils are extremely dangerous for the body. Treatment of diagnosed neutropy should be carried out immediately, as this condition can lead to toxic shock or death. Without an extensive blood test, neutropenia is difficult to recognize, as its symptoms are similar to many caused by a variety of other diseases. According to the analysis, the hematologist can accurately analyze the qualitative composition of leukocytes and other indicators and identify the degree of danger of abnormalities.

Neutrophils segmented in the blood: the norm in children

In children, leukocyte counts differ from adult norms. Depending on the period of life, these indicators have quite large fluctuations. Thus, at an adult rate of 47-75%, a newborn child has a level of segmented neutrophils from 45 to 80%, a child under the age of 1 year is 15-45%, a child aged 1 to 12 years is 25-62% In adolescence - 40-60%. Then, usually in a healthy child, the level of segmented nuclei stabilizes within normal limits, and the number of stabs decreases from 17% to 5-6%.

You are interested in the indicator "neutrophils segmented in the blood of a child" norm? This table clearly reflects.

The reason for such a difference in the composition of children's blood is the process of formation of immunity, which reaches the optimal level only by adulthood. At the time of birth, the child's body experiences severe stress, so it builds a protective barrier, which causes a small neutrophilia in the first months of life. However, then the bone marrow, which has not yet fully developed, causes a minimum level of protection by segment neutron neutrophils at a high rate of stab neutrophils.

Neutrophilia in children can be triggered by a recent vaccination, which is a positive signal about the correct response of the immune system to infection. Also, an increase in the level of neutrophils can occur due to the use of drugs and steroid hormones.

Neutropenia in children can occur with severe allergic and anaphylactic reactions, anemia, during viral diseases that weaken general immunity, with the use of anticonvulsant and analgesic drugs, and chemical poisoning.

Usually, children's neutropenia does not require special treatment, until 5 years the level of segment neutrophils comes back to normal, but it should be remembered that such children have a reduced resistance to colds and viral diseases, if possible, they should be protected from intensive foci of infection. Then, according to the results of the analysis, "neutrophils segmented in the blood", the norm will be revealed.

How to maintain the white blood cells in the norm?

A normal stable level of leukocytes is promoted by various measures aimed at increasing the overall immunity of the body and enhancing metabolic processes. It is important first of all to take care of a quality diet, in which there should be a lot of vegetables, fruits, fiber, a moderate amount of calories, it is important not to overeat. To reduce the risk of contracting serious infectious diseases will help to make timely vaccinations. And it concerns not only children, but also adults, because today there are many different high-quality vaccines against such serious diseases as hepatitis, meningitis, from various types of sepsis, shingles.

Excellent prevention of infections and the presence of such an element as segmented neutrophils in the blood, the norm of which is stipulated above, is the regular washing of the sinuses of the nose with clean or salted water, as cleaning the mucosa and villi in the nasal passages significantly increases their protective function. Do not neglect such simple and effective ways, like hardening procedures, walking outdoors, regular exercise. Also, you need to take measures to reduce stress, eliminate frequent stressful situations, it is important not to allow constant fatigue. In seasons of exacerbation of colds it is necessary to try to protect themselves and their children from visiting public places, mass events.