Diet and secondary immunodeficiencies in children
Kolbas, V.
Lijecnicki Vjesnik 106(5): 209-212
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0024-3477 PMID: 6433128 Document Number: 5169
Inadequate diet is one of the basic causes of states of secondary immunodeficiency, which, regarding their grave consequences, are not less harmful than primary immunodeficiencies in children. Hence, the interaction of protein calorie malnutrition and of infections still contributes significantly to mortality in developing countries. While the humoral immunity of undernourished children - except for small infants - may be preserved, cell-mediated immunity is severely impaired; hence the new concept of malnutrition thymectomy in severely undernourished children. Normal immunological function, and even the function of nonspecific immunological factors, may be impaired not only by protein and calorie deficiency, but also by the deficiency of zinc, iron and vitamins. In potentially undernourished children routine preventive vaccinations should be performed at a very early age when the child is on a relatively adequate diet; even then inactivated vaccines are recommended. Infection control is a useful form of protection in these children, however, timely correction of the dietary regimen is the most important. Firm evidence has accumulated thus far on the synergistic interaction of malnutrition and infection, and it is considered to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children, primarily among the populations of developing countries inhabiting the southern hemisphere of our planet.
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