Study of cell mediated immunity in malnourished children using DNCB skin sensitization test

170 malnourished and 30 normal children (controls) were studied for cell-mediated immunity using dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) as a skin sensitizer. The Mantoux test was carried out in those who had previously been immunised with BCG vaccination. Tonsillar size and lymphocyte count of the two groups were compared. The results showed that malnourished children developed an impaired reaction to DNCB (45.9%). The reaction to DNCB was related to the degree of malnutrition and to severity of malnutrition. The Mantoux test was negative (91.2%) and tonsillar size was smaller (7.5%) in the malnourished children than in the control group. Lymphopenia was noted in 50.5% of the cases. Thus, malnourished children can be characterised by a definite depletion of the thymolymphatic system.