Age-related changes in memory CD4Ï© T cells (CD4) are poorly known. To address this issue, CD4 proliferative and cytokine responses to an anti-CD3 monoclonal (CD3), to cytomegalovirus (CMV), and to adenovirus (AdV) were assessed in 57 children (age, 0.07-17.16 y) and 17 adults. Results showed i) accumulation of memory CD4 with aging, with 2-3 times more centralmemory T cell (TCM; CD45RA ÏȘ /CD62L Ï© ) than effector-memory T cell (TEM; CD45RA ÏȘ /62L ÏȘ ) CD4 at any age. ii) In children older than 2 y, CMV-specific CD4-secreting IFNâ„ alone predominated over CD4-secreting IL2 Ï© IFNâ„ and a continuous increase, with aging, in IFNâ„ responses to the virus was observed. In contrast, in AdV infection, CD4-secreting IL2 Ï© IFNâ„ predominated and IFNâ„ responses to the virus reached adult levels from 3 y of age. iii) In children aged 0 -2 y, lower total IFNâ„ responses to CMV (p Ïœ 0.02), AdV (p Ï 0.05), and CD3 (p Ïœ 0.01) and lower IFNâ„ Ï© IL2-responses (p Ï 0.1, p Ïœ 0.02, p Ïœ 0.05, respectively) contrasted with no decrease in CD4-secreting IFNâ„ alone. Defective proliferative responses to AdV (p Ï 0.03) were also observed. In conclusion, the development of memory CD4 differed in acute AdV and persistent CMV infections. Young age seemed to depress mostly polyfunctional (IL2 Ï© IFNâ„ secreting) CD4 in both infections. (Pediatr Res 69: 106-111, 2011)