Here, we
focused on describing the interactions between and immune systems dysfunction
and the determinants that provoke increased susceptibility to gastrointestinal
and bacterial respiratory infections. PCM adversely affects the immune system;
therefore malnutrition is considered the most common cause of immunodeficiency
throughout the world. In synergy with infection, malnutrition contributes to
56% of all childhood deaths worldwide. The causes of malnutrition are multiple
and complex and infections are a common precipitating factor. Respiratory infections
are the most important causes of high morbidity and mortality among
malnourished children and malnutrition is an important associate factor in
these deaths. The studies described within this review provide evidence that
the combination of several defective immune
mechanisms synergistically inhibits
the developments of an adequate host immune response.
Particularly, defects in the innate immune response
resulting from protein calorie malnutrition may contribute to the
susceptibility of malnourished children to infection. Moreover, several studies
have demonstrated that severely impairs cytokine productions, which may also be
related to the impaired cell medicated immunity in malnourished children.
The
study of the interactions between malnutrition and the immune system may
generate many practical and clinical applications. A better understanding of these
interactions could contribute to more effective approaches to savings children
lives. Additionally strategies to more effectively reduce child malnutrition gently
needed.
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