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Overview of Neonatal Thymectomy

Neonatal thymectomy is the surgical removal of the thymus gland in newborn children. The thymus gland is relevant to the human immune system, responsible for processing T-cells that seed lymphatic tissues via the body's bloodstream.

  1. Thymus

    • While a child is still a fetus the thymus produces and accrues great quantities of T-cells. Later on into childhood and adulthood the relevance and function of the thymus decreases dramatically, similar to the diminished significance of tonsils in many people. Due to the location of the thymus, physicians have exercised the option to remove the organ for better access to the heart in cases of infant cardiac surgery.

    T-Cells and B-Cells

    • T-cells and B-cells are kinds of lymphocytes that circulate throughout the body. While both types are produced in bone marrow, the letter designations "T" and "B" correspond to T-cells maturing in the thymus and B-cells maturing in the bone marrow itself. Each type is designed for the function of specific antigens necessary for recovery after the body suffers infection.

    Post-Procedure Impact

    • Neonatal thymectomy affects patients later in life by reducing the availability of T-cells in the body. B-cells have been shown to increase in some cases but are generally unaffected. The long-term impact from the procedure can result in premature failings of the immune system.

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