The Immuno-Hematology Clinic at the University of Michigan brings together dedicated physicians, researchers, nurses, and social workers to deliver unsurpassed comprehensive care to children suffering from immune deficiencies, bone marrow failure syndromes, lymphoproliferative diseases and neutrophil disorders.
The immune system is a complex network of cells, barrier tissues and organs whose function is to prevent, identify and eliminate infections and stop the development of cancer within the human body. Patients who have a defect in a component of the immune system may have an impaired ability to perform these functions and can be at risk for a variety of infections, and in some cases, have an increased likelihood for cancer development.
One type of white blood cell in the body is known as a lymphocyte. There are many different types of lymphocytes, which like other white blood cells, play a role in fighting infections. When faced with an infection, the number of lymphocytes will multiply in order to have a greater number of cells to combat the invading organism.
Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell. Like other white blood cells in you or your childs immune system, neutrophils play an important role in fighting infection. Patients who have too few neutrophils, known as neutropenia, are at risk for both recurrent and severe infections, especially bacterial and fungal infections. Neutropenia may be present at birth or develop later in life.
