Abstract
The pathophysiologic mechanisms of increased susceptibility to and severity of infections in malnourished children were investigated in 90 patients. The tonsils were small in 47 children, and significant lymphopenia was observed in 15. There was a significant depression of serum siderophilin and complement component C3. Serum immunoglobulin levels were relatively high especially in the presence of infection. Malnourished children without infection had hypoimmunoglobulinemia G. Antibody response to tetanus toxoid was adequate, but response to S. typhi vaccine was significantly reduced. Cutaneous hypersensitivity was distinctly impaired. The in vitro lymphocyte tranformation response to phytohemagglutinin stimulation was reduced. Mantoux conversion following BCG vaccination occurred in 22 per cent of the study group compared to 72 per cent of the healthy control subjects. It is suggested that several facets of immunocompetence are adversely affected in a state of malnutrition.