[Lymphocyte function in children with iron deficiency].

In 23 children with mild iron-deficiency anemia, 22 children with latent iron-deficiency, and in 46 healthy controls the 3H-thymidine incorporation in blood lymphocytes after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, pokeweed mitogen, and serum against thymocyte cells was measured. In 11 of the children with iron-deficiency anemia, in 13 of the children with latent iron-deficiency, and in 20 controls the lymphotoxin secretion after phytohemagglutinin stimulation was also performed. All patients studied were without intercurrent infections and were well nourished. No alteration of the lymphocyte function in the patients was found. The concentrations of immunoglobulins and the components C3 and C4 of complement system were also found to be normal. It is suggested that lymphocyte functions are eventually only altered in more severe states of iron-deficiency anemia.