Persistent cell mediated immune-deficiency following infantile stress during the first 6 months of life

Dutz, Werner; Rossipal, E; Ghavami, Hushang; Vessal, Karim; Kohout, Elfriede; Post, Cornelius

doi:10.1007/bf00466270

Cited by 31 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 53 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Exogenous factors such as severe malnutrition, zinc depletion, and severe infections cause an often dramatic reduction in size of the thymus, but the size increases again during recovery [1,2,3]. The mechanism responsible for the decrease in size in these conditions is not known as it is unknown why formula-fed infants have a smaller thymic gland than breast-fed infants.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…The turnover of cells in the thymus is very high. Thymocytic proliferation occurs at a high rate followed by selection and maturation of only 5% of the thymocytes while the remaining 95% undergo programmed cell death or apoptosis [2]. Even minor changes in the proliferation rate or the percentage of thymocytes being selected for maturation or apoptosis might in¯uence thymic volume.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Breast-feeding influences thymic size in late infancy

Hasselbalch

Engelmann²,

Ersbøll³

et al. 1999

European Journal of Pediatrics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We have previously shown that breast-fed infants have a considerably larger thymus at 4 months than formula-fed infants. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether breast-feeding also influences the thymic size in late infancy. In a cohort of 50 infants, all being partially breast-fed when recruited at 8 months, ultrasound assessment of the thymic index (a volume estimate) was performed at both 8 and 10 months of age. At 10 months the thymic index was significantly higher in those still being breast-fed compared to infants who had stopped breast-feeding between 8 and 10 months of age (P=0.05). This difference became more significant when controlled for the influence of infectious diseases (P=0.03). In infants still breast-fed at 10 months there was a significant correlation between the number of breast-feeds per day and their thymic index (P=0.01). Conclusion The effect of breast-feeding on thymus size is likely to be caused by immune modulating factors in breast milk. Breast milk influences thymic size in late infancy.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Breast-feeding influences thymic size in late infancy

Hasselbalch

Engelmann²,

Ersbøll³

et al. 1999

European Journal of Pediatrics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Previous studies have correlated thymus size with the state of nutrition and recovery from severe malnutrition (1)(2)(3)(4); however, no study has been undertaken of mortality in relation to thymus size among newborn children in developing countries. Thymus size has previously been assessed among Danish newborns; in the present study the same method was applied (5,8).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, autopsy studies of malnourished children have documented thymus atrophy and sonographic studies of preschool Bolivian children found thymus atrophy in severe malnutrition (2,3). X-ray studies of thymus size among orphans in Iran suggested an association between severe diarrhoeal disease and temporary regression in thymus size as well as later morbidity and mortality (4). Since the thymus is a key organ for the cellular immune system, the present study examined determinants of thymus growth patterns and the association with subsequent morbidity and mortality in developing countries where childhood mortality is particularly high.…”

mentioning

confidence: 95%

Thymus size at birth is associated with infant mortality: a community study from Guinea‐Bissau

et al. 2002

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A few studies have suggested that thymus atrophy is associated with severe malnutrition and increased morbidity; however, no study of thymus size has been undertaken in countries with high mortality. This study examined the relation between thymus size at birth and subsequent mortality in an urban West African community. The size of the thymus was assessed by sonography as a volume estimate, the thymus index. A total of 278 children born at the local health centre in Bandim in Bissau, Guinea‐Bissau, was enrolled in the study. Children were followed to the age of 2 y. Thymus size at birth was associated with most strongly weight, as well as with length and arm circumference. Controlling for weight and other risk factors, boys had larger thymus indices than girls [means ratio (MR) = 1.07, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.01–1.14)]. Thymus size was also associated with prematurity, ethnic group, season and investigator, but not with birth order, mother's age, socioeconomic factors or the use of health services. Infant mortality was 117/1000. In a multivariate analysis, excluding premature infants and adjusting for age, gender, ethnic group, season of birth and investigator, higher birthweight (MR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.16–0.74) and larger thymus size (MR = 0.17,95% CI 0.06–0.48) were independently associated with lower infant mortality. When both indices were estimated in the same model, the thymus index was associated with infant mortality (MR = 0.27, 95% CI 0.07–1.00), whereas birthweight had a non‐significant effect (MR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.24–1.47). After 1 y of age neither birthweight nor thymus size at birth was associated with mortality. Conclusion: As all deaths were due to infectious diseases, thymus size at birth may be an important predictor of immune competence. Future studies should examine the determinants of thymus growth.

show abstract

“…The latter occurs in response to many stimuli, including: malnutrition (21,22), illness (23,24), physical and cognitive stress (12,(25)(26)(27), chemotherapy or radiotherapy (12) and corticosteroid therapy (12). The acute involution of infection is frequently followed by a hypertrophic rebound which is presumed to represent a phase of stimulated lymphocyte production (7,12).…”

Section: Mechanisms By Which Breastfeeding Might Enhance Thymic Sizementioning

confidence: 99%

Does breastfeeding increase thymus size?

Collinson

2000

SPAE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Persistent cell mediated immune-deficiency following infantile stress during the first 6 months of life

Cited by 31 publications

References 53 publications

Breast-feeding influences thymic size in late infancy

Breast-feeding influences thymic size in late infancy

Thymus size at birth is associated with infant mortality: a community study from Guinea‐Bissau

Does breastfeeding increase thymus size?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About