A small child falls down and cuts his knee. A few days later a scab forms over the wound. After a few weeks, the wound does not appear to be healing, but it is not infected. Which of the following could explain this?
A) The child has a platelet deficiency.
B) The child has a mast cell deficiency.
C) The child has a cytokine deficiency.
D) The child has a neutrophile deficiency.
E) Answers C or D are possible.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cytokines are crucial for the wound healing process as they help in the regulation of the phases of wound healing, including inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Neutrophils are also important in the initial phase of wound healing, particularly in preventing infection and cleaning the wound. A deficiency in either cytokines or neutrophils could impair the healing process, even if the wound is not infected.

A Small Child Falls Down and Cuts His Knee