Immunological Examinations in Pediatrics

Overview

Reactivity of immune system is associated with the majority of human diseases. Pathological conditions affecting immune system itself are classified as immunodeficiencies, autoimmune diseases and allergies. In the childhood, particularly the incidence of allergy is constantly growing. Such trend is accompanied by the increasing demands for immune investigation. This review article summarizes current possibilities of immune laboratories. Further the attention is concentrated on the process of rational indication and interpretation of immune investigation. The review focuses on immune reactions in children with respect to the developmental characteristics of immune parameters.

Key words:
immunity, humoral immunity, antibodies, autoantibodies, lymphocytes, phagocytosis