[Evaluation of granulocytes in children with malnutrition].

In 29 infants with II and III degree of undernutrition, the studies were performed of the granulocyte system including: the number of granulocytes in the bone marrow reserve pool, circulating pool, parietal and total peripheral blood, phagocytosis evaluation, NBT test and the activity of granulocytic enzymes-alkaline phosphatase and peroxidase. The following deviations were found in comparison to children of the same age with normal body weight: 1. Significant decrease of the reserve granulocyte pool in the bone marrow in children with considerable undernutrition, reaching the value of bone marrow reserve in newborn. 2. Increase of phagocytic activity of granulocyte in children with undernutrition, and increased readiness of these cells to intracellular killing. 3. Normal activity of alkaline phosphatase in granulocytes, increased peroxidase activity during the period of considerable undernutrition.