Host defenses in protein calorie malnutrition

Abstract

The results show that children with protein calorie malnutrition have an impairment of the cell mediated immune function, and of the complement and C3 activating system. Certain patients were noted to have deficits in polymorphonuclear leukocyte function. Secretory immunoglobulins, but not humoral immunoglobulins, were also depressed. Significant improvement in all components except secretory immunoglobulins was observed following nutritional repair. These findings help to explain the observation that children with protein calorie malnutrition are more prone to overwhelming infection than are well nourished children.