T AND B LYMPHOCYTES IN PATIENTS WITH DOWNS-SYNDROME

Abstract

Individuals with Down''s syndrome are thought to have abnormalities of immune function. Studies to quantify the number of peripheral blood T [thymus-derived] and B [bone marrow-derived] lymphocytes and serum immunoglobulins in 12 individuals and 12 sex and age matched control subjects were performed. Hepatitis B antigen and antithyroglobulin antibodies as markers of possible immune dysfunction were determined. The numbers of circulating T and B cells, and the level of serum immunoglobulins in children with Down''s syndrome did not differ from nonretarded control children. Circulating hepatitis B antigen and antithyroglobulin antibodies were not present. These studies indicated that quantitative abnormalities of T and B cells are not present in children with Down''s syndrome. The data did not exclude the existence of qualitative abnormalities.