New data on thymus pathophysiology in children.

The results of clinical-roentgenological and hormonal-immunological studies showed that immunohomeostasis peculiarities and adaptation in children with thymomegaly and pneumonia-complicated thymomegaly are determined by prolonged 'metabolic stress' effect associated with thymomegaly and coexistent intercurrent infection. Immune control of children with thymomegaly is appreciably determined by the hormonal function of hypothalamus-hypophysis-thymus-adrenal cortex system and by optimum balance of its constituents. Hypothalamic-hypophysial-adrenal system, cAMP and cGMP as universal intracellular mediators, and, essentially, thymus hormonal function are basic contributors to immunohomeostatis and adaptive reaction control in children with thymomegaly.