How to use immunoglobulin levels in investigating immune deficiencies.
Children are often referred to immunologists for the evaluation of reduced serum immunoglobulins. Knowledge of the immunoglobulin levels in healthy children of different ages is necessary when estimating immunological deficiency states of various kinds. After the measurement of the serum levels of the three major isotypes, examination of the capacity of the child to form antibodies to several antigens is a reasonable next step in the evaluation. We can rely on vaccine responses to make the distinction between significant primary immunodeficiency diseases and transiently low immunoglobulin levels. On the other hand, normal values of IgM, IgG and IgA are not always enough to exclude a more serious condition. Regardless of immunoglobulin concentrations, if a child's history indicates that further evaluation is warranted, a complete humoral immunity study should be carried out, including IgG subclasses, specific antibody responses and identification of B lymphocyte populations.
['Ladomenou|Fani|F|', 'Gaspar|Bobby|B|']
D000293:Adolescent D015415:Biomarkers D002648:Child D002675:Child, Preschool D003141:Communicable Diseases D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007070:Immunoglobulin A D007074:Immunoglobulin G D007075:Immunoglobulin M D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes D007223:Infant D008297:Male
Immunology Infectious Diseases