OBJECTIVETo observe changes in T cell subsets in children with sepsis and their prognosis, and to investigate the clinical significance of these changes in the occurrence and development of sepsis.

METHODSFifty children with severe sepsis and 150 children with general sepsis were enrolled as subjects, and 50 age-matched healthy children were included as controls. The percentages of CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in peripheral blood and CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio were measured by flow cytometry. The pediatric critical illness score (PCIS) was calculated within 24 hours of admission.

RESULTSThe children with severe sepsis showed significantly lower percentages of CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio and PCIS than the controls and children with general sepsis (P<0.01). Among the 200 cases of sepsis, the percentages of CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio and PCIS were significantly lower in the cured group than in the deceased group.

CONCLUSIONSChildren with sepsis have different degrees of cellular immunosuppression, and the degree of cellular immunosuppression is significantly correlated with the severity of the disease. Detection of T cell subsets in peripheral blood is of great significance for evaluating immune function and judging disease severity in children with sepsis.