Defective immunocompetence in foetal undernutrition.
The rate of Ig-bearing lymphocytes (B-cells) and of rosette-forming cells (T-cells) in peripheral blood as well as the lymphocyte response to phytohaemagglutinine (PHA) stimulation were evaluated in 19 small-for-date infants in order to assess both humoral and cellular immunity. A significant decrease of Ig-positive cells and of E-rosettes was found, compared with new-borns of appropriate birth weight, However, the response to PHA stimulation appeared to be impaired in only 3 of the observed cases.
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M