Показатели белой крови, уровни тиреотропного гормона и кортизола у детей 4–6 лет, занимающихся закаливанием

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to analyse white blood cell parameters and certain hormone levels in children doing cold conditioning at a preschool. Materials and methods. The study group consisted of 4–6-year-old children (n = 12) who underwent cold conditioning 5 times a week according to a certain scheme of exposure to contrasting temperatures. The control group (4–6-year-old children; n = 12) was doing the usual kindergarten activities. Absolute and relative white blood cell count was determined; thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and cortisol levels were studied using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. Hormone levels in all the subjects were within normal limits and did not differ statistically significantly between the groups. The total white blood cell count in children of the conditioning group (7.81 ± 0.67∙109/l) was statistically significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in their peers from the control group (6.06 ± 0.50∙109/l). The increased white blood cell count in the conditioning group was due to the rise in absolute (p < 0.01) and relative (p < 0.001) monocyte count. At the same time, relative basophil count in children doing cold conditioning was lower (p < 0.01) than in the control group. In the conditioning group, we found a statistically significant correlation between TSH level and relative white blood cell count (r = 0.73, p < 0.01), between TSH level and relative neutrophil count, as well as between cortisol level and absolute white blood cell count (r = 0.61, p < 0.05) in the peripheral blood. The systematic character of cold conditioning contributed to the development of a certain stereotyped response to the stimulus. The research demonstrated that these comprehensive cold conditioning activities have been performed with adequate use of contrasting temperatures, resulting in stronger immune system, increased resistance and improved adaptive capabilities of the child body.