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The article is designed as a lecture for students of medical universities, as well as for practicing doctors. It shows the periods of childhood with characteristic for each stage features of a growing organism.

The indices of T-cell immunity are decreased in children of early age with megalothymus: content of T-cells (CD3+), Т-helpers (СD4+ Т-cells), cytotoxic Т-lymphocytes (СD8+ Т-cells), regulatory Т-cells (CD4+CD25hi) and also activated Т-lymphocytes (CD4+CD25lo и CD3+HLA-DR+). The increasing of expression of alterations was observed as degree of megalothymus was progressing. The only exclusion were regulatory T-cells. Their level was decreased under megalothymus degree I and II and was closer to indices of age standard under megalothymus degree III. Also, it was demonstrated that capacity of T-cells to differentiation to cytokine-producing cells type Th1 and Th2 increases as far as increases expression of megalothymus. However, this process remains within framework inherent to comparison group. The T-lymphopenia under megalothymus is conjugated with decreasing of emigration of T-cells from thymus to peripheral section of immune system. These alterations bring on deficiency of T-cell chain of immune system and can favor manifestation of its incapacity especially in conditions of increased load under effect of pathogens.