[Disturbances of chemotaxis in protein-calorie malnutrition (author's transl)]

A study of specific and non-specific immune functions was performed in 14 children presenting with severe malnutrition, before and after parenteral hyperalimentation by central catheter. Anomalies of cellular functions (reduction of the percentage of E rosettes and deficient proliferation with mitogens) were rarely found. Measurements for serum immunoglobulins did not show any anomaly; however reduced percentages of EAC rosettes and important increase in "null" cells were found in about one third of the cases. The main finding was a decreased serum chemotactic activity following activation of the classic complement pathway. This was found in 12 children and returned to normal values in all cases after hyperalimentation.