Cell-mediated immune responses in malnourished host.

One hundred children in the age group 6 months to 5 years were investigated for cell-mediated immune response in relation to their nutrition. The nutritional status was assessed by the Wellcome classification. The majority (54 per cent) of children had marasmus. Absolute lymphocyte count was found to be significantly low (P less than 0.01) in all malnourished groups except in mild forms of undernutrition. Small lymphocytes were also found to be significantly decreased (P less than 0.001) in malnourished children. A significant depression (P less than 0.001) was observed in the percentage and absolute T cells in all the malnourished children with kwashiorkor who showed the maximum depression of counts. All the control children showed DNCB skin reactions above grade 2+ while only 39 per cent of malnourished children showed reaction of this grade. After 4-6 weeks of dietary therapy, T cell counts were comparable with control values and DNCB skin test returned to normal in more than 75 per cent of cases.