A study of serum IgA levels in children undergoing tonsillectomy

Earlier work has suggested that up to 25% of children undergoing tonsillectomy because of recurrent sore throats are relatively deficient in IgA immunoglobulin and that they do less well after the operation than 'normal' children. Measurements of serum immunoglobulin levels were carried out in 96 children undergoing tonsillectomy for recurrent sore throats. Levels of IgA, IgM and IgG were found to be similar to those in healthy children, 7-29% of those studied had 'low' IgA serum levels. There was a significant relationship between serum IgA levels and the age of the child. No relationship could be established between IgA levels and pre- or postoperative clinicaal state of the children. Low IgA serum levels are probably the result of delayed immunological maturation rather than a true immunodeficient state. IgA estimations, therefore, have no bearing on selection for operation or the prognosis after operation.