Indicators of sorption ability and permeability of erythrocyte membranes in children and newborns, living in the area of increased radiation background

Objective: By studying the permeability of erythrocyte membranes (PEM) and the sorption ability of erythrocytes (SAE) to assess functional state of the biological membranes of red blood cells in children living in the area of increased radiation background. Methods: Indicators of SAE and PEM in the blood of 18 newborns and in 20 children from 3 to 5 years old, living in the area of increased background radiation were determined. The control group consisted of 38 children, living in areas with a natural radiation background. The SAE determined by the degree of absorption of methylene blue dye. PEM was determined by the degree of erythrocyte hemolysis in solutions with increasing urea concentration. Results: The rates of SAE in children living under normal radiation background were: in newborns – 37.1±0.2%; in children 3 years old – 37.4±0.2%; in children 4 years old – 37.6±0.2%; and children 5 years old – 37.4±0.2%. At the same time, children living in increased radiation background were found to have significantly increased levels of SAE: newborns – 58.8±0.2%; children 3 years old – 59.1±0.3%; children 4 years old – 59.2±0.2%; and children of 5 years – 59.0±0.3%. As in the children of the control group, in the main group changes in the values of the SAE level depending on age also fluctuated within the statistical error (p>0.05). When comparing PEM data, the children in the main group showed a significant increase compared to the children in the control group. Thus, if in newborn children of the control group, depending on the dilution of urea, PEM ranged from 5.6±0.5% in the I sample and up to 20.1±0.3% in the VI sample, in the main group – from 10.3±0.2% and to 59.3±0.9%, respectively. Similar dynamics were observed in older children: at the age of 3 years, in the control group – from 3.4±0.6% and to 23.4±1.6%, in the main – from 10.3±0.7% and up to 56.8±1.9%, respectively; 4 years of age, in the control group – from 8.2±1.2% and up to 25.2±3.0%, in the main – from 24.1±1.7% to 59.0±0.9%, respectively, and the age of 5 years, in the control group – from 7.5±2.2% to 22.5±2.5%, in the main – from 22.7±3.3% to 55.5±2.1%, respectively. Conclusion: Studies of permeability of erythrocyte membranes and sorption ability of erythrocytes in children living in the area of increased radiation background, revealed significant changes in the properties of erythrocyte membranes, indicating a high level of damage. Keywords: Newborns, children, radiation, sorption ability of erythrocytes, permeability of erythrocyt