Immunologic status in infants and children following surgery.

The investigation of cellular and humoral immunologic parameters (T and B lymphocytes and immunoglobulins) with respect to postoperative infection in children revealed changes in the T lymphocytes in particular. Preoperative complications (ileus, shock, infection), anesthesia and surgery lead to transient immunosuppression. The duration of this T cell suppression is age-dependent; suppression is longest in newborns (up to three weeks on the average) and shortest in older children (one week on the average). IgA and IgG concentrations show only slight abnormal changes; IgM concentrations, however, increase significantly during the postoperative period in all age groups. Prophylactic and therapeutic measures for the prevention of postoperative infections can be considered on the basis of immunologic changes related to surgery.