Hydrogen peroxide production by leukocytes in protein-calorie malnutrition.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production during phagocytosis was studied in polymorphonuclear leukocytes obtained from children suffering from severe protein-calorie malnutrition. Formation of H2O2 was significantly reduced both in the resting condition and during phagocytosis. Improvement in this function of leukocytes was observed following nutritional rehabilitation. Sub-optimal H2O2 production during phagocytosis may be one of the reasons for impaired bactericidal activity of leukocytes seen in children with protein-calorie malnutrition.