Granulocyte function in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia during remission.

The granulocyte function of 20 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was studied during remission and compared to that of 20 health adults. Granulocyte function was equally decreased when examined in patient serum and pooled normal serum, The decreased bactericidal function was predominantly due to reduced intracellular killing. Patients with grossly reduced granulocytic function had more infections than the rest of the group, though the difference was not statistically significant.