Abstract
The effect of anaesthesia and surgery on the lymphocyte dose-dependent response to four mitogens was measured in 15 neonates for up to 4 days following surgery. The mitogen response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), and staphylococcal protein A (SPA) following anaesthesia and surgery showed varying degrees of immunosuppression depending on the mitogen used. No significant difference was found in the response to PHA throughout the period of study. Lymphocyte responses to Con A were significantly depressed immediately after surgery (P <0.005). All patients showed an increase in PWM and SPA responsiveness after induction of anaesthesia, followed by significant depression immediately after surger (P <0.01) and 24 and 48 h postoperatively. The variability in responsiveness of neonatal lymphocytes to a range of mitogens during and following surgery suggests subtle differential immunosuppressive effects on individual lymphocyte sub-population, particulary T-cell-dependent B-cell responses. The results are further evidence of the particularly complex nature of the immune response of the newborn.
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