A novel study conducted on children has found that evidence of ME or Chronic fatigue Syndrome could be caused by a virus. Irregularities in white blood cells of children suffering ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) signified that they had been combating against infection. The condition causes incapacitating fatigue.
The condition is typified by physical and mental fatigue after doing normal activities. The symptoms of ME may include muscle pain, sore throat, headache, multi- joint pain and tender lymph node. Approximately more than 1.5 lakh people suffer ME or CFS in UK and among them more than fifteen thousand are children.
In a study survey sponsored by ME Research UK and The Young ME Sufferers (Tymes) Trust, researchers reviewed twenty-five children aged seven to fourteen suffering ME or CFS, alongside twenty-three children of same age group in a control group. They found abnormalities in the blood of the children with ME or CFS.
The present results were analogous to those recognized earlier in adults suffering the condition. The blood samples taken from adolescents with ME or CFS contained higher than normal levels of free radicals. They also found a much bigger number of neutrophils which is most common type of white blood cells at the end of their lifecycle.
The high number of neutrophils signify that body need to fight against infection. Numerous studies in adults have shown evidence of a virus in people with the condition. But some experts think that different types of chronic fatigue are all caused by a single virus is not believable.
They found blood alterations that propose chronic inflammation. It is significant as it shows irregularity that they might be able to formulate a treatment for the same, said Professor Jill Belch, leader of the latest research and expert in vascular medicine from Ninewells hospital in Dundee.
It also significant because some propose, that ME is an ailment of mind and here they are showing that it is an ailment of the body added Prof Belch.