ABSTRACT
A study was done to investigate the number and function of T cells of underfive children in Kelurahan Kramat, Kecamatan Senen, Jakarta Pusat. Grouping of samples was done based on weight-for-age, into well nourished (normal) children as control, mild-moderate PEM and severe PEM. The number of each group was 15.The relative number of T cells in mild-moderate PEM and severe PEM were significantly reduced compared to the normal group (P <0.01 , See Figure 13). The relativenumber of blast-transformation of the severe PEM group compared with the mild-moderate PEB and the severe PEM with the normal group were not significantly different (P>0.05, See Figure 15). The total serum protein in mild-moderate PEM and severe PEM were not significantly different compared to the normal group (P> 0.05, See Figure 16). The protein intake in mild-moderate PEM and severe PEM were significantly reduced compared to the normal group (P<0.01, See Figure 17). The energy intake in mild-moderate PEM and severe PEM were significantly reduced to the normal group (P<0.01, See Appendix 11).From the facts mentioned above it can be assumed strongly that: Lower protein intake in combination with lower energy intake in mild-moderate PEM and severe PEM are most probably very important factors that cause the reduction of T lymphocyte number in both moderate PEM as well as in severe PEM.