JEJUNAL MUCOSA IN MARASMIC CHILDREN - CLINICAL, PATHOLOGICAL, AND FINE-STRUCTURAL EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF PROTEIN-ENERGY MALNUTRITION AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION

Seven children suffering from marasmus were investigated clinically, biochemically and morphologically. The fine structure of the jejunal mucosa obtained by peroral biopsy was evaluated. The mucosal changes noted agree with the only other ultrastructural study reported by Brunser et al. and add information on three additional features: an increase in theliolymphocytes, excessive epithelial cell extrusion and abnormalities in the appearances of the mucosal plasma cells, suggesting possible local deficiency in immune function.