Defective local leukocyte mobilization in children with kwashiorkor.

The Rebuck window technique was used to determine the functional integrity of the inflammatory response in nine children with kwashiorkor. The total numbers of leukocytes mobilized into skin abrasions were similar between kwashiorkor and control patients. However, children with kwashiorkor showed significantly delayed and decreased macrophage migration and increased polymorphonuclear leukocyte migration. These defects of leukocyte mobilization were corrected with nutritional repair.