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Immune deficiency in fetal alcohol syndrome
Abstract:
In a review of 13 documented cases of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), an increased incidence of life-threatening bacterial infections as well as a propensity to minor infections was observed. Five of 13 patients had had at least one episode of pneumonia, two had meningitis, and one had sepsis. A comprehensive immunologic evaluation of FAS was completed, and results were compared to an age-matched control group of children with intrauterine growth retardation without FAS. Children with FAS were shown to have decreased E rosette-forming lymphocytes (35 +/- 5% versus 55 +/- 5% or 1328 +/- 274 versus 2333 +/- 112 per mm3), low EAC rosette-forming lymphocytes (15 +/- 2% versus 18 +/- 1% or 524 +/- 109 versus 740 +/- 75 per mm3), and diminished mitogen-induced stimulation responses to mitogens: 31616 +/- 5337 versus 58076 +/- 4455 cpm for phytohemagglutinin, 17582 +/- 5436 versus 35018 +/- 5346 for pokeweed mitogen, and 32460 +/- 7044 versus 54996 +/- 5531 for concanavalin A, P less than 0.05. Nine patients had dysgammaglobulinemia, FAS subjects also had a marked eosinophilia (624 +/- 154 versus 72 +/- 27 mm3). Other parameters of immune function including absolute lymphocyte and neutrophil counts, total hemolytic complement, delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity, and nitroblue tetrazolium dye reduction assays, were not different from control children. Impairment of immunity may explain an increased susceptibility to infection in FAS.
Insights
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is linked to a weakened immune system, increasing infection risk. Children with FAS show reduced lymphocytes and impaired immune responses, explaining their higher susceptibility to infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is associated with an increased incidence of infections.
- Life-threatening bacterial infections like pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis are observed in FAS cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comprehensive immunologic evaluation of children with FAS.
- To compare immune function in FAS patients with age-matched controls without FAS.
Main Methods:
- Reviewed 13 documented cases of FAS and their infection history.
- Performed immunologic assessments including lymphocyte counts, mitogen stimulation responses, and dysgammaglobulinemia analysis.
- Compared immune parameters between FAS subjects and a control group with intrauterine growth retardation.
Main Results:
- FAS patients exhibited decreased E rosette-forming lymphocytes and low EAC rosette-forming lymphocytes compared to controls.
- Diminished mitogen-induced stimulation responses to phytohemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen, and concanavalin A were observed in FAS subjects.
- Nine FAS patients had dysgammaglobulinemia, and a marked eosinophilia was noted in FAS subjects.
Conclusions:
- Impaired cellular and humoral immunity in FAS may contribute to increased susceptibility to infections.
- Immune dysfunction is a significant factor in the health complications associated with fetal alcohol exposure.