[Serum immunoglobulins and complement fractions in protein malnutrition]

Serum immunoglobulins and some complement components (C1q, C3c, C4, factor B, C9) have been evaluated in 99 malnourished patients. The sole abnormality which seems related to protein calorie malnutrition is a C1q decrease significantly correlated to serum albumin, thyroxin binding prealbumin and retinol binding protein. The immunoglobulins modifications seem to be related to pathological conditions associated with malnutrition (sepsis, liver diseases).