Assessment of neutrophil chemotaxis and random migration in childhood. Comparison between leading-front and lower surface count methods.

Neutrophil chemotaxis and random migration were studied in 65 healthy children and 18 normal adults. The method used, the leading-front technique, was more accurate and reproducible than the lower surface count method. Chemotaxis in children under 15 years differed from that in adults. This age effect was most pronounced in those less than 6 years, and particularly in those less than 2 years. When investigating chemotaxis in childhood, comparisons with age-matched controls should be made.