Multiparametric analysis of peripheral blood in the normal pediatric population by flow cytometry

Abstract
Lymphocyte subset analysis was performed on 114 healthy children and 84 healthy adults. Samples were prepared by a whole blood lysis technique and analyzed by flow cytometry. The percentage and total number of CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 +, and CD19 + lymphocytes were calculated for each of six age groups. A direct correlation with age was seen in the percentages of CD3 +, CD4 +, and CD8 + lymphocytes. The absolute number and percentage of total lymphocytes, the percentage and absolute number of CD19 + lymphocytes, and the absolute number of CD3 + lymphocytes decreased with age. No significant correlation with age was observed for white blood cells, the absolute number of CD4t and CD8+ lymphocytes, and the CD4 + /CD8+ ratio.